HEFEI -- China's privately-owned automaker Chery will open its new plant in Brazil this year, sources of the company said Sunday.

Chery Auto started in 2011 to build the plant in the city of Jacarei in Sao Paulo State with an investment of 2.45 billion yuan ($400 million).

Brazil has become one of the most important overseas markets for Chery since it first set foot in the country in 2009.

Chery Auto has introduced several models to Brazil including QQ, Cielo and Tiggo, which won the country's title of "SUV of the year" in 2010.

In July 2013, police in Sao Paulo State started using Celer models, the first time that Chery cars have been used for public service in Brazil.

Chery has 80 dealers in the South American country, and operation of the new plant will help reduce tax to make its products more competitive, the company said.