New energy vehicle sales surge last month

Sales of new energy vehicles in China jumped 138 percent to 96,000 units in January, making the sector the best performer in the automotive industry, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Sales of electric vehicles increased about 180 percent to 75,000 units last month, and those of plug-in hybrids grew 54.6 percent to 21,000 units, data showed.