LIPPSTADT (dpa-AFX) - Headlamp specialist Hella was able to significantly expand its business in the first quarter despite a restrained development in China. Sales climbed by more than 14 percent year-on-year to around 2 billion euros in the months from January to March, the company announced in Lippstadt on Thursday on the basis of preliminary figures. According to the company, all divisions performed well, with business in the largest lighting segment in particular showing strong growth thanks to increased production in the automotive industry. "We were thus able to carry over the previous year's growth momentum into the 2023 fiscal year, even though the market in China developed modestly, as expected," said company CEO Michel Favre. Hella did not initially provide details on earnings; the Westphalian company will present its full quarterly figures on April 27./men/ngu