For global auto giants reeling from the overwhelming industry fallout, the Chinese market is truly a silver lining.

General Motor (GM) said its August sales in the United States dived 24.9 percent from one year ago to 185,176 units while in China sales surged 19.2 percent to 181,625 units.

Ford Motor Co.'s China subsidiary and joint ventures sold 44,047 units in August, skyrocketing 24 percent from a year earlier. In its home market, Ford's sales volume plunged 10.7 percent year on year to 157,503 units in August.

Ford attributed its strong sales growth in China to robust demand for the Ford Focus, one of the best sellers in its class, and the new Ford Fiesta, which China lists in its fuel-efficient vehicle directory.

"We hope to accelerate this growth momentum with new investments that expand our product portfolio and distribution channels in China," said Robert Graziano, CEO of Ford Motor China.

China toppled the United States earlier this year from its decades-long position as the world's largest auto market. The unprecedented boom is expected to continue as the economic take-off boosted income, making cars a new "must have" for numerous families.