Nov. 9 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co.’s sales in China this year have surpassed 1.5 million vehicles as economic growth and government stimulus efforts boost demand.

Sales in the first 10 months rose 60 percent from a year earlier to 1.46 million vehicles after more than doubling to 166,911 in October, the company said in an e-mailed statement today. Minivan sales at GM’s venture rose 66 percent to 891,285 during the 10 months.

Shanghai General Motors Co., the Detroit-based company’s passenger car-making venture with SAIC Motor Corp., increased sales 46.5 percent to 548,707 vehicles through October.

GM expects China sales will grow at a slower pace next year, Nick Reilly, the automaker’s head of international operations, said in an interview last week.

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Last Updated: November 8, 2009 23:56 EST