Industrial robots produce new energy vehicle parts at a factory in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, on April 1. [Photo/IC]

Zhejiang's auto industry picked up speed in the first quarter, with the sector's added value rising 17.6 percent year-on-year and new energy vehicle output up 45.5 percent.

Geely Holding Group said Geely Auto sold 709,000 vehicles in the quarter, a record for the period. Exports topped 200,000 units, also a record, rising 126 percent year-on-year and helping the company return to the top of China's auto brand sales ranking for the first time in five years.

Leapmotor remained the top seller among China's emerging electric vehicle makers, with first-quarter sales of 110,000 units. Its exports exceeded 40,000 units, while registrations in 16 European countries jumped 726.5 percent year-on-year. In 12 European Union countries, Leapmotor ranked first among Chinese battery-electric brands.

Zhejiang has also built a cluster of globally competitive auto parts suppliers in areas such as automotive electronics, thermal management, and chassis systems. The province now has 18 companies among China's top 100 auto parts suppliers and five among the global top 100, both the highest totals in the country.

The strong showing by the auto industry reflected steady gains in Zhejiang's broader industrial economy.

Value-added industrial output from industrial enterprises above the designated size, or those with annual revenue of at least 20 million yuan ($2.89 million), rose 8.3 percent from a year earlier. Manufacturing value added rose 8.5 percent.