Chery Automobile Co last month brought eight models to the Johannesburg International Motor Show, the biggest in South Africa, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand exports.

The automaker's displays included its popular small car QQ3, the A3 compact and its hatchback variant, the Z5 sports car and the M1 electric.

The company has sold nearly 10,000 vehicles in South Africa since May 2008, when it began exporting to the country, Chery said, noting that South Africa's new car sales this year are expected to rise15 percent from 2010.