Likewise, the notorious clash-for-clunkers program was nothing if not a scheme to stimulate auto consumption.

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Based on a rebound in auto sales and stronger service spending, real consumption hit its highest level since December 2009.

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To encourage the answer it wants--and to cut back the country's growing oil imports--Beijing has imposed taxes on high-gas-consumption autos, while adopting European auto emissions standards in 2004.

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