China carmakers cry for help

Slowing down: Geely cars for export enter a cargo vessel at Ningbo Zhoushan port in Zhejiang province, China. The coronavirus outbreak has hit demand badly there. — Reuters

BEIJING: Automakers in China are calling on the government to help after industry-wide sales plunged 79% in February to mark their biggest ever monthly decline, with demand pummelled by the coronavirus outbreak.

Their wish list includes cuts to the purchase tax on smaller vehicles, measures to support sales in rural markets and an easing of car emission requirements, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said.