BEIJING -- China's retail sales of passenger cars reached nearly 6.42 million units in the first four months of this year, marking an increase of 9 percent year-on-year, according to data from an industry association.

In April alone, sales of passenger cars decreased 2 percent year-on-year to nearly 1.59 million units, data from the China Passenger Car Association showed.

During the January-April period, nearly 2.48 million units of new energy vehicles (NEVs) were sold through retail channels, surging 35 percent year-on-year.

Retail sales of NEVs stood at 706,000 units in April, up 34 percent from a year ago, the association said.