WUHAN -- Sales at Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Company Ltd rose to a new monthly record in September as Chinese customers snubbed Japanese cars.

The 50-50 joint venture between Chinese carmaker Dongfeng Motor Corp and French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen sold 42,728 cars last month, up 9.2 percent year-on-year and up 32 percent month-on-month, according to a company statement Wednesday.

Sales in the first three quarters also hit a record high of 312,728 units, up 7.1 percent from a year ago.

The boost in sales is seen as a result of the Diaoyu Islands issue. Anger towards Japan grew in China after the Japanese government's "purchase" of part of the Diaoyu Islands on Sept 11.

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This drove many Chinese buyers to purchase US and European cars, boosting sales of other brands.