China's vehicle sales exceeded 1.7 million units in the first three months of this year, said sources with the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) on Monday.

According to figures from the CAAM, China's vehicle sales reached 1.7332 million units, growing by 36.85 percent year on year, while the output reached 1.7844 million units, 36.26 percent up from a year ago.

The sales of passenger cars soared to 1.25 million units, growing by 54.29 percent year on year, while that of commercial cars reached 482,300 units, 5.83 percent up from a year ago.

The sales of sedans in China in the first three months soared to an all-time high of 8.553 million units, 66.97 percent up from a year ago.

Thanks to the new policy eliminating the limits on vehicles of low emissions, China saw an obvious growth of sales of those cars.

Xiali, manufactured by Tianjin FAW, tops the brand sales list in the first quarter with its sales reaching 46,600 units. Other brands also in the most popular list include Chery QQ and sedan types of Geely, a home auto brand of China.

The new tax regime raising consumption taxes on luxury sedans is another factor encouraging the consumption of medium and small cars.

Shanghai General Motors, Shanghai Volkswagen, FAW Volkswagen, FAW Toyota Motor, four in the top ten lists of sedan sales in the first three months, saw their sales grow by over 100 percent year on year respectively.

Source: Xinhua