Automobile sales in China may accelerate 28 percent from a year ago to reach 12 million vehicles this year and overtake the number of autos sold in the United States, according to a regulatory official.

The remark was made by Chen Bin, chief director of the industry coordination department of the National Development and Reform Commission, at a conference in Tianjin on Saturday.

In contrast, General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co forecast sales in US will be about 10.5 million units this year, Bloomberg News said.

Auto sales in China in the first half reached 6.09 million units, a rise of 17.7 percent from a year ago, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

The government's stimulus measures have boosted the auto industry and demand which is set to stay robust, Chen said. The measures included a 50 percent cut in the purchase tax to 5 percent on vehicles equipped with engines of less than 1.6 liters.