Chinas auto sales surged 14.5% in May, a second straight month of growth as the global industrys biggest market gradually recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said Thursday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)HONG KONG Chinas auto sales surged 14.5% in May, a second straight month of growth as the global industrys biggest market gradually recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. Sales fell 9.6% last year, their second straight annual decline. The downturn is squeezing brands that are investing billions of dollars to develop electric vehicles under pressure to meet government sales targets. Demand for electric vehicles weakened last year after Beijing reduced subsidies that helped to make China their biggest market, accounting for half of global sales.