BEIJING, July 9 -- China's automobile output and sales both exceeded 11 million units during the first half of 2014, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said Wednesday.

Auto production rose 9.6 percent from a year ago to 11.78 million units from January to June, accelerating from 9.4-percent growth during the January-May period.

However, sales of vehicles increased only 8.4 percent year on year to 11.68 million units, slowing further from an increase of 9 percent seen in the first five months, according to CAAM.