Chinese automakers produced 1.31 million vehicles in May, down 14.36 percent from April, and sales in May fell 13.95 percent from April to 1.19 million units, the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATRC) said Tuesday.

Still, both production and sales posted year-on-year growth in May. 

For the first 5 months, total production reached 7.18 million units, up 52.18 percent year on year.  Sales was 6.05 million units, up 34.07 percent compared with the same period last year.

The CATRC predicted strong sales for the nation's automakers in June on the back of strong consumption and intensified marketing campaigns.