China's car sales fell 12% in January from a year earlier, the first decline since September and the biggest drop in almost a year, as automakers braced for intense competition in the world's largest auto market.

Retail sales of passenger cars fell 12.1% in January from a year earlier, the China Passenger Car Association said Tuesday.

China's car sales fell 12% in January from a year earlier, the first decline since September and the biggest drop in almost a year, as automakers braced for intense competition in the world's largest auto market.

China's automobile market experienced a 12% decline in car sales in January compared to the same month a year earlier. This is the first drop since September and the most significant one in nearly a year.