Chinese auto sales fell for the 14th time in 15 months, extending what’s already been a historically prolonged slump in the world’s largest car market. Sales of sedans, sport utility vehicles, minivans and multipurpose vehicles in August fell 9.9 per cent from a year earlier to 1.59 million units, the China Passenger Car Association said on Monday.

Automakers reeling from the industry’s longest downturn in three decades continue to face headwinds as the economy slows and trade tensions persist. China has rolled out a series of supportive measures to encourage consumption — the latest one coming last month, when the government issued guidelines to loosen car-purchase restrictions.