China's car sales maintained their growth pace in 2024 as sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the world's largest auto market hit a record high amid a brutal price war and with subsidised trade-ins for greener vehicles driving purchases.

China has renewed a trade-in subsidy of up to 20,000 yuan ($2,730) to help underpin sales of fuel-efficient vehicles, including electric cars and hybrids.

Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles jumped more than 40 percent in China last year, as demand for new energy models continues to surge and the sector remains entrenched in a gruelling price war.

Benz's core car sales fell in 2024, a tough year for the auto industry marked by waning demand in a weak economy, especially in China, the German luxury carmaker said on Friday. Despite this, Mercedes stock inched higher after the results and was up 4% by 1120 GMT,

Car sales fell 3% to 1.98 million last year in a challenging global market, with top-end vehicle sales weighed by market conditions in China, model changes and weak electric-vehicle demand.

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz sold fewer vehicles in 2024 than in the previous year, the company reported on Friday. The sales decline slowed somewhat in the fourth quarter thanks to a slight recovery in the Chinese market.