BEIJING — Sales of China's 23 leading loader makers reached 22,772 in March, up 52 percent year-on-year, data from the China Construction Machinery Association showed.

Some 4,151 loaders were exported to the overseas market, a 40.5-percent growth from the same period last year.

In the first quarter, total loader sales came in at 39,333 units, climbing 60.7 percent year-on-year.

The robust pace of sales reflects strong demands for construction machinery and macroeconomic vitality in the quarter, according to industry insiders.

The purchasing managers' index for the manufacturing sector came in at 51.9 in March, indicating further expansion from the previous month, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.