China auto sales growth accelerates in May to 5-month high

BEIJING (AP) — China's auto sales growth hit a five-month high in May, driven by the popularity of SUVs, an industry group said Monday.

The CAAM said SUV sales, whose explosive popularity has helped to buoy the industry, rose 36.3 percent to 627,000.

China's auto sales growth cratered last year, jolting global brands that are looking to the world's most populous market to drive revenue.

Sales revived after the government cut sales taxes, but longer-term growth is expected to moderate from the double-digit rates of recent years.