Car production in China has accelerated in April despite the impact of SARS and a struggling global economy according to new figures released yesterday (May 21st).

Statistics published by the State Statistical Bureau show that production rose 83 per cent year on year to 166,900 in April, 10,000 more than in March.

Output has jumped by 110 per cent in the first four months of 2003 from a year ago, with car makers suggesting SARS may have in fact had a positive effect, as people were reluctant to travel by public transport.

'Car production was supported strongly by private car purchases,' the bureau said in a statement.

'Not only did car sales not go down in April under the negative impact of SARS, they went up compared with March,' a spokesman commented.

However, analysts are still warning that an extended period of the SARS epidemic could see consumer spending hit hard.