Auto retail sales rise 12% in March on demand for SUVs

Passenger-vehicle sales in China gained 12 percent last month, led by demand for sport-utility vehicles and minivans in the world's largest auto market.

Retail deliveries of cars, multipurpose and SUVs climbed to 1.78 million units in March, the China Passenger Car Association said on its website on Thursday.

SUV sales surged 64 percent in March and minivan deliveries jumped 26 percent, while sedan demand fell 0.6 percent, according to the data.