China's auto exports hit a record in November, topping 700,000 units in a single month for the first time, according to data released on Thursday by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Shipments reached 728,000 vehicles, up 9.3 percent from October and 48.5 percent from a year earlier. Exports for the first 11 months climbed 18.7 percent to 6.343 million units.

Chen Shihua, a deputy secretary-general at the association, said full-year exports are on track to approach 7 million vehicles, which would mark a new high for the industry.