TIANJIN -- China's auto industry has been developing vigorously to withstand challenges posed by the country's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), said an official of China's top economic planner on Sunday.

Zhang Guobao, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, attributed the good performance of China's auto industry to three factors: the country's sound economic environment, its solid industrial foundation and sharpened competitive edge in the global market for improved product quality.

Statistics show the nation's auto output has maintained fast growth for six consecutive years. From 2001 to 2006, the average annual growth rate of the auto sector reached 26 percent. In 2006, the country's auto output and sales increased by 22 percent and 23 percent to 4.5 million and 4.4 million units respectively.