Nissan Motor Co, Japan's second-largest carmaker, said its sales in China last month declined for the first time since January, as the slowing economy damps demand in the world's largest vehicle market.

Deliveries fell 2 percent to 98,100 vehicles in July, the Yokohama, Japan-based company said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday. It sold 776,100 vehicles in the first seven months this year, or 12 percent more than the year-earlier period.

Nissan's monthly sales declined amid China's economic expansion slowing to a three-year low of 7.6 percent in the second quarter. Stiffer competition in China this year has led to discounting and an increase in inventory.

China Daily - Agencies