--FILE--A Chinese worker dusts off the logo of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited at the gate of the headquarters of SAIC Motor in Shanghai, China, 8 April 2013. SAIC Motor Corp., Chinas largest carmaker by sales, on Thursday (29 August 2013) reported a lower-than-expected 6% gain in first-half net profit, as its margins continued to fall amid fierce competition. The Chinese partner of Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co. said net profit for the first six months ended June 30 was 11.47 billion yuan (US$1.9 billion) up from 10.78 billion yuan a year earlier. Analysts had widely expected a net profit gain of at least 10%. The result came even after SAICs sales of automobiles including cars, buses and trucks grew 15% in the first half of this year, outpacing the overall 12% growth in Chinas auto market. China is the worlds largest car market.
