China on Monday suspended the production of 553 models of passenger vehicles that failed to meet fuel consumption standards, Xinhua reported.

The models include those from major domestic manufacturers and joint ventures such as FAW-Volkswagen, Beijing Benz Automotive, Chery and Dongfeng Motor Corporation.

China has come down heavily on its cities in recent months in its effort to check air pollution, and is also considering controls on its vehicles. The pollution peaks during the winter as smog blankets northern cities because of coal-powered heating systems in homes.

Last week, the government said that it would give tax rebates on purchases of new-energy vehicles until the end of 2020. In September, the country also said it would prepare a timeline to phase out production and sales of fossil fuel cars.