The Chinese auto maker Chery Automobile Co. announced here that it has signed an agreement with a U.S, company to export 250,000 Chery-series vehicles to the United States a year, starting in 2007.

The upstart Chinese auto producer based in east China's Anhui province, said it has an agreement with the US Visionary Vehicles Company to be its sales distributor in the Northern America for its five new models of vehicles.

According to the agreement, both companies will invest jointly to set up the R&D center and production base for the Chery company.In addition, the US investor will also establish a professional sales team and 250 distribution points in the U.S. for the Chinese auto maker.

The Chery firm started its performance in the international market in 2001 when it exported its first batch of Chery-series vehicles to the Middle East.

In 2003, the Chery company signed a contract with the Iran-based SKT company to found its first overseas production base, making itself the first Chinese auto maker producing cars outside China.

Statistics show Chery exported more than 1,200 sets in 2003, and the figure jumped to 8,000 in 2004, the largest exporter among Chinese auto makers.

Currently, Chery company has been working in cooperation with more than 20 countries for car exports and production bases, with most of its self-design Chery-series of cars concerned.