BEIJING, Nov. 9, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- China's auto sales rose 72 percent year on year to 1.22 million units in October on the back of strong domestic demand boosted by government stimulus measures.

The figure was the second highest within the year, 7.64 percent lower than that of September, according to a report posted on the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) 's web site Monday.

Auto sales broke the 10 million mark to 10.89 million units between January and October, up 36.23 percent from a year ago.

In January, China cut the purchase tax on vehicles with engines of 1.6 liters or less from 10 percent to 5 percent to promote the sales of energy-saving vehicles.

It also offered subsidies for auto buyers in rural areas.

Passenger car sales surged 76 percent to 946,400 units in October, bringing the total sales to 8.19 million units in the first ten months.

The CAAM predicted the sales would continue to rise steadily in the next two months.