Volkswagen compact Jetta [Bora] saloon was the best-selling car in China in the first nine months of the year, private marketing firm Automotive Resources Asia said on Monday according to Dow Jones.

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The report said Volkswagen’s joint venture in northeast China sold 99,947 Jettas in the period, while the company’s joint venture in Shanghai sold the next best-selling car, the Santana, one of the oldest foreign joint-venture models in China.

Volkswagen sold 91,210 Santanas, and 70,528 Santana 2000s, an upgraded model, which was the fourth best-selling model, Dow Jones added.

In third place was a compact car often used as a taxi in Beijing, the Xiali, made by Toyota partner Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co. In the first nine months, 71,896 Xialis were sold, Dow Jones said.

Citing ARA, Dow Jones said sales of passenger cars, including sports utilities vehicles and multipurpose vehicles, in China rose 69% on year in the first nine months to 1.45 million units – in September alone, car sales reached 200,480 units, a record monthly level.

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