Auto industry cautious about China's sluggish market at start of decade

BEIJING/SHANGHAI: China's auto market is likely to shrink for the third year in a row in 2020, the country's top auto body is expected to say on Monday, but industry watchers are cautiously hoping a sales recovery in lower-tier cities ease the pace of decline.

The drop in car sales is expected to be milder than last year, when sales were pressured due to new emission standards in a broader economy that was both shrinking and under attack amid a trade war with the United States.