Auto sector off to strong start in 2015 as SUV sales surge ahead

China's auto sales accelerated in the first two months of this year, led by demand for sport utility vehicles and minivans.

Retail deliveries of passenger vehicles increased by 16 percent to 3.49 million units in January and February, the China Passenger Car Association said on its website on Tuesday. Sales of SUVs and minivans surged 66 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

The first two months of sales data are taken together to rule out the impact of the week-long national Lunar New Year holiday, which falls on different days each year.