SAIC Chery Automobile Co Ltd, one of China's fastest-growing carmakers, plans to export 10,000 cars and 10,000 sets of components this year.

The Anhui Province-based firm said in a statement Thursday that if the goal is reached, it will be a very great achievement because China exported a total of 2,849 cars last year.

More than 600 cars from Chery's five low-end models will be sent to the Middle East and South America this month, including Syria and Kuwait.

Company officials said they are optimistic about the 10,000-car goal because they have signed contracts to export more than 7,000 cars this year.

In the first quarter of this year, Chery exported 1,620 cars, the company reported.

It said that to accelerate its "go international" strategy, it will invest to build plants in Venezuela and Pakistan to assemble cars with local partners.

Chery, China's eighth biggest carmaker, made 101,000 cars last year - a 100 percent rise from a year ago.

China exported 47,400 vehicles (including chassis) last year with a 108.56 percent rise year on year. Exports were valued at US$372 million, a 49.45 percent rise year on year.

Last November, Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co Ltd, the 50-50 joint venture between Shanghai Automotive Industry (Group) Corp and Volkswagen AG, exported 600 of its Polo sedans to Australia through the Volkswagen sales and after-sales network there.

Shanghai Volkswagen hailed the shipment as the start of a march of Chinese sedans into a western developed country.

(Eastday.com April 9, 2004)