By Randy Chen

(AXcess News) Tokyo - Car sales in China soared in February, despite the Lunar New Year holiday period, to 942.900 vehicles, an increase of 55% from the year-ago period.  The unexpected increase in China auto sales came from strong demand for smaller cars and sport utility vehicles.

China has led the world in auto sales so far this year and last year beat US automakers selling 13.6 million vehicles, which was 45 % more compared to 2008 sales.

Last year, auto sales in China got a boost from tax breaks and subsidies for economical vehicle purchases.

While auto sales in China remain strong, analysts do not expect this year's results to surpass 2009 total auto sales due to the fact that many orders which where filled in January where placed the prior year.