Eaton CEO Says China 7.8% GDP Masked Real Rate at Half That Pace

China’s official 7.8 percent economic growth for 2012 may have overstated expansion by twice the real rate, and is only now headed for a “legitimate” 8 percent gain, Eaton Corp. Chief Executive Officer Sandy Cutler said.

Based on indicators such as consumer consumption and electric power usage, China’s gross domestic product probably grew 3 percent to 4 percent last year, Cutler said yesterday in a telephone interview. Growth is accelerating now that China is past the distractions from its leadership change, he said.