HEFEI - Chery Automobile Co, one of China's leading auto manufacturers, said Tuesday its May exports hit a monthly record for domestic carmakers due to the company's ambitious overseas expansion.

Jin Yibo, a company spokesman, said the company exported 20,093 vehicles last month, up 42.4 year-on-year and 15.4 percent month-on-month.

The company, based in East China's Anhui province, has set an overseas sales target of 170,000 units for the year of 2012. However, the total overseas sales are expected to exceed the 200,000-mark for the first time.

Chery exported a record 160,200 vehicles last year, maintaining its status as a leading auto exporter in China.

Chery has established 16 production bases overseas to produce more tailored vehicles for local customers. It has more than 1,153 dealers overseas, selling its products in over 80 countries and regions.

Chery opened a plant in Venezuela last August and is expected to start operations at another plant currently under construction in Brazil in September 2013.

The company has also announced plans to build assembly plants in Myanmar and several African countries.