Maanshan Iron & Steel, China’s second-largest steelmaker, has recorded significant growth in its auto steel plate sales in recent months, according to sources reported by China Knowledge. In May, the company received orders for 45,000 tons of auto steel plate products, twice the amount ordered in the latter months of 2008.

The company attributed the improvement to the relative buoyancy of the auto manufacturing industry along with successful R&D and sales activities. Its deliveries in May included 1,500 tons of outer steel plates to Anhui Jianghuai Automobile and Changan Automobile.