Lynk & Co's production base in Qianwan New Area, Ningbo. [Photo/Yongpai App]

Ningbo's automotive industry reached a new peak in 2025, becoming the city's largest industrial sector and a key driver of manufacturing growth.

The city's automobile manufacturing output value hit 433 billion yuan ($62.15 billion) last year, a historic high and a 70 percent surge from 2020. The sector now comprises 16.2 percent of Ningbo's total output value for industries above the designated size.

Vehicle production also expanded rapidly, as 865,000 vehicles, equivalent to 1.6 cars every minute under continuous 24‑hour operations, rolled off the line. New energy vehicles accounted for 398,000 units, representing 38 percent of Zhejiang's total NEV output.

Geely remains a central force, with its brands, including Zeekr, Lynk & Co, and Galaxy, offering fuel, hybrid, and electric models. Zeekr surpassed 30,000 units in monthly sales for the first time in December, bringing its cumulative sales to over 650,000 units. Under a strategic cooperation agreement signed with the Ningbo government last October, Geely aims to increase its production in the city to over 700,000 units by 2027.

Volkswagen's base in Qianwan New Area – its second-largest globally – adds further strength, with a planned capacity of 600,000 vehicles.

Ningbo's automotive ecosystem now includes 911 enterprises, over 170 more than in 2020, including 62 listed companies and 39 national single-product champions in manufacturing.