BEIJING, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Global auto sales are expected to reach 70 million units this year, as China continues to lead the new car market, a senior executive with Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. said.

In 2009, global auto sales only reached 60.99 million units due to the global economic downturn, according to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA).

China became the second largest market for Nissan in 2009, said Dr. Andy Palmer, Senior Vice President and Executive Committee member of Nissan Motor, on Friday.

Sales of Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti in China hit 5,113 units in the first half year, more than double from a year earlier, said Palmer, adding that sales for the entire year could exceed 10,000 units, second only to the United States market.

Nissan Motor is the seventh largest automaker worldwide, with total auto sale of 3.36 million in 2009.