The automobile output in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, is expected to exceed 3.1 million vehicles in 2022, amid impacts brought about by the sporadic COVID-19 resurgence, shortage of chip supplies and rise of raw materials, according to the local industry and information authority.

"The automobile industry in Guangzhou showed strong resilience, with production and sales of vehicles hitting a record high," said Chen Jianhua, chief economist of Guangzhou Industry and Information Bureau.

In the first 11 months of 2022, the automobile output in Guangzhou increased 12.5 percent year-on-year to reach 2.93 million vehicles, of which production of new energy vehicles grew by 120.8 percent year-on-year, according to the authority.

In a press conference on Monday, Chen said the automobile industry had become the largest industry in the city, with 12 complete automobile manufacturing enterprises and more than 1,200 automobile parts companies.

A number of new NEV projects including the second smart manufacturing center of GAC Aion, owned by GAC Group, were put into operation in Guangzhou in 2022, helping push the city's annual production capacity of NEVs to exceed one million vehicles.

According to Chen, the city will build four independent brand innovation bases in districts of Panyu, Huadu, Nansha and Huangpu, and promote establishment of an auto parts trading platform.