Sales of China's Chery automobiles took a huge leap in January as 22,505 of the small cars were sold, an increase of 110 percent compared to the same month last year, according to the company's sales department.

The QQ, the company's flagship auto, saw sales of 12,865 in January, to lead China's small car market. Another of the company's models, the Qiyun, sold 7,575, more than two and half times that of the same period last year.

Chery attained its 2005 sales goal with 189,000 units sold. The company has now become China's sixth largest car maker.

According to the company, Chery is planning to put six new models on the market in 2006. Insiders say the company is expected sell 281,000 auto this year.

As one of China's leading domestic auto makers, the Anhui-based Chery has won recognition for its technological innovation.

In 2005, China's vehicle output grew 12.56 percent to 5.71 million units over the previous year. Sales of domestically-made vehicles grew 13.54 percent to 5.76 million units, according to statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Source: Xinhua