- New energy vehicles accounted for more than half of deliveries
- Sub-brand Zeekr sales surged, driven by new model launch and tech-heavy features
Geely Auto Group climbed to the top of China’s auto sales rankings in the first quarter of 2026 after strong electric-vehicle (EV) demand and surging overseas shipments drove deliveries to 709,358 units, the company said on April 1.
New energy vehicles (NEV) accounted for a growing share of that expansion, with quarterly NEV sales reaching 369,059 units, up 9% year on year and representing 55% of total deliveries.
This underscores the Hangzhou-based automaker’s accelerating transition toward electrification amid intensifying domestic competition.
March passenger-vehicle sales rose 13% from the previous month to 233,031 units. Combined NEV deliveries across the Geely, Lynk & Co and Zeekr brands totaled 127,319 units during the month, increasing 6% from a year earlier and 8% month on month.
Premium EV brand Zeekr remained a key growth engine, delivering 29,318 vehicles in March, up 90% year on year and 23% from February.
First-quarter deliveries reached 77,037 units, an increase of 86% over the previous year, supported by surging orders for the flagship large-sized SUV 9X and new launch of the mid-to-large SUV 8X, whose technology-heavy features have resonated with consumers.
Lynk & Co sold 25,426 vehicles in March, bringing first-quarter sales to 81,662 units, up 12% year on year.
Geely Galaxy, positioned as the group’s mainstream new-energy lineup, posted March sales of 82,744 vehicles, rising 13% month on month, with quarterly deliveries totaling 238,859 units.
International markets emerged as another major growth driver. Overseas sales jumped 126% year on year in the first quarter to 203,024 units.
March exports reached 81,639 vehicles, rising 120% from a year earlier and 34% from the prior month, marking the third consecutive month in which exports exceeded 60,000 units.
Investor sentiment strengthened following the sales release. As of press time, Geely’s Hong Kong-listed shares rose about 5.7% to HK$23.24 ($2.96) in morning trading, lifting the company’s market capitalization above HK$250 billion, according to market data compiled by The Yangtzeer.
