SHANGHAI, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Auto sales in China, the globe's second largest car market, soared in the first nine months of the year to 4.58 million units, a 23.84 percent increase from a year ago, state media reported Monday.

Sales of passenger vehicles in Septebmer rose 16.54 percent from the previous month to 561,000 units, the Xinhua news agency reported, citing figures from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Meawhile, sales of sedan cars leaped 25.76 percent to 3.44 million units for the January to September period while sports utility vehicles rose 51.7 percent to 251,700 and multi-purpose vehicles were up 20.75 percent to 165,300 units.

German auto giant Volkswagen's China joint venture -- FAW Volkswagen -- was the top seller, selling 684,786 units, the report said.

Shanghai Volkswagen, the firms other venture with SAIC, was behind with US's General Motors ranking third. Fast-growing domestic automobile company Chery took fourth spot.