China's auto manufacturing has increased by a million vehicles in each of the last five years, according to statistics.

Last year, the country produced about 6.2 million units compared to less than 150,000 units in 1978.

Investment in the sector reached 100 billion yuan (US$12.4 billion) in 2005, double that of 2002.

Another report published by the newspaper said during the country's 11th Five-Year (2006-2010) development period, China aims to increase its car and auto parts exports by more than 40 percent annually to reach US$70 billion in 2010.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2006)