China's vehicle sales soared 55.7% in August from a year earlier, boosted by Beijing's new subsidies scheme for energy-saving vehicles, according to media updates. Vehicle sales in the world's largest auto market rose to 1.22 million units in August according to the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre. China's auto sales for 2009 hit 13.64 million units as the nation took over the title of the world's top auto market from the United States.