The number of automobiles exported exceeded the number imported by 7,000 units in the first ten months, Xinhua news agency cited the commerce ministry as saying.

Auto exports more than doubled from January to October to 135,000 units, while imports fell 11.6 percent year-on-year to 128,000 units, Xinhua said.

The commerce ministry report said that exported China-made automobiles were largely trucks -- accounting for over half of the total -- as well as low-priced small cars.

Most went to developing nations, including Algeria, Syria and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, China imported costly, upscale sedans from Japan, Germany and the United States, with an average price of 29,180 dollars.

Under a commitment to the World Trade Organization, China will remove tariffs on auto imports by the end of 2006.