China’s Auto Slump Goes Viral In Record January Plunge

With a deadly respiratory virus spreading rapidly, Chinese buyers were reluctant to brave the showrooms - assuming any were open. Auto sales in China plunged a dastardly 22% last month, the largest ever decline for January, according to data out Thursday from the China Passenger Car Association. China's auto market - the largest in the world - is mired in a historic slump. Sales have fallen in 19 of the last 20 months. Economic deceleration and efforts to curb pollution have undercut the ma