BEIJING Chinas auto sales growth decelerated further in May amid signs of weakness in its economic recovery.

An industry group, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said Sunday auto sales growth declined to 9 per cent over the same time last year from Aprils 13 per cent.

RELATED: Industry group Chinas March auto sales up 13.3 per cent

China is the biggest auto market by number of vehicles sold and competition is intensifying as global and Chinese manufacturers try to woo increasingly prosperous buyers.

The CAAM said Chinese customers bought 1.4 million cars, SUVs and minivans. Total vehicle sales, including trucks and buses, rose 9.8 per cent to 1.8 million units.