China's auto output and sales are both expected to hit a record 8.5 million units this year, said sources with the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) on Tuesday.

In the first four months of the year, the country's auto output grew 21.4 percent to 3.01 million units, while sales rose 21.5 percent to 2.93 million, according to figures from CAAM.

Jilin-based First Automobile Works, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. and Hubei-based Dongfeng Motors took the grid positions in the sales list for the period.

Anhui-based Chery Automobile and Zhejiang-based Geely Group, the two flag-bearers of Chinese indigenous brands, ranked seventh and tenth.

The top 10 sold a total of 2.44 million vehicles in the first four months, accounting for 83 percent share of the domestic market.

Last year China became the world's second largest auto market after the United States, with an annual output of 7.28 million vehicles and sales of 7.22 million. (Xinhua)