"Despite the slowing economy and a very difficult geopolitical situation, the third quarter was a dream quarter for the auto industry," Constantin Gall, managing partner and mobility leader at EY for the Europe West region, said in a statement.

"Good demand, particularly for premium vehicles, and high prices continue to provide the automotive industry with high revenues and profits," Gall said.

A company that makes medicine out of snake gall bladders has seen its shares more than double this year as healthcare companies become China's hottest stocks.