HEFEI - China's carmaker Chery Automobile Co Thursday said its overseas shipments in the first month of the year rose 21.2 percent year-on-year to 11,823 units.

The figure was also up 25.1 percent from last month, indicating strong overseas sales growth, said Jin Yibo, Chery's spokesman.

The eastern Anhui province-based carmaker exported a record 160,200 vehicles last year, maintaining its status as top exporter among domestic carmakers for a ninth year, Jin said.

The strong sales overseas helped Chery to cushion the sluggish market in China, Jin said.

To expand overseas, Chery opened a plant in Venezuela last August and is expected to start operation at another plant currently under construction in Brazil in September 2013.

It also has announced plans to build assembly plants in Myanmar and some African countries.

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