Rubber prices are expected to climb as much as 19 percent by the end of next year as rising vehicle sales in China boosts demand, said Marubeni Corp, the largest Japanese trader of the commodity.

The cash price will probably trade between $1.80 and $2.30 per kg in the six months starting Jan 1 and range from $2 to $2.50 in the second half, said Roka Komiya, a trader at the rubber section of Tokyo-based Marubeni. The commodity currently trades at $2.10 per kg, and may retreat to as low as $1.50 later in 2009 before recovering, he said in an interview.

Futures in Tokyo have gained 46 percent this year as the global recession eases and demand rises from tiremakers including Bridgestone Corp and Michelin & Cie, the world's top two producers. The US, Germany and Japan have offered incentives to purchase new cars to save the automobile industry from the worst slump in decades. Vehicle sales in China, the biggest natural rubber consumer, rose 71 percent in July.