BEIJING - Auto sales growth in China, the world's biggest auto market, retreated in October from September's three-year high.

About 2.65 million cars were sold in China last month, up 18.7 percent year on year, according to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

The growth slowed from the 26.1 percent registered in September.

Sales of passenger cars came in at 2.34 million units last month, up 20.3 percent year on year.

In the first ten months, auto sales went up 13.8 percent to 22 million units.

Earlier official data showed China's manufacturing sector posted its best performance in more than two years, with the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 51.2 in October, the highest level since July 2014.