Car Sales Climb 16% in China

Retail sales of passenger vehicles in China rose to 3.5 million in January-February from 3.0 million in the same period in 2014, according to the China Passenger Car Assn.

CPCA says sales growth was led by hikes in SUV/crossover and minivan deliveries of 66% and 20%, respectively.

The state-supported China Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers says wholesale deliveries for the two-month period rose 9% to 3.4 million units. CAAM previously forecast that full-year sales would grow about 8% to 21.3 million units.

Both groups prefer to combine January and February results to neutralize the timing of China's week-long lunar new year holiday.

General Motors sales in January-February rose 1% to 261,100 units. Ford's volume jumped 15% to 192,000 vehicles. Nissan sales rose 12% to 186,600.