Automobile sales in the world’s largest markets rose in September to an 18-month high even amid slowing economic growth in a growing number of regions.

Sales of 6.19mn automobiles in September rose by 19pc from the same period a year earlier to the highest since March 2021.

The volume consisted of combined automobile sales in northeast Asia, southeast Asia, Latin America, US and Europe.

Automobile sales rose especially strongly in northeast Asia amid strong demand in China. Sales in Europe and US extended their gradual recovery after turning positive in August.

Northeast Asia remained the largest market with 44pc of total sales. The US was the second largest even as its share fell to 23pc of the total. Europe’s share of total sales rose to a three-month high of 17pc of the total.

Firm automobile sales have coincided with strong lube demand in markets like US, Argentina and India.

But lube demand in China has been unusually weak this year despite firm automobile sales in recent months.