China's biggest domestic automaker, Chery Automobile Co., said Friday it expects its foreign sales to rise by 40 percent this year to 70,000 vehicles as the company tries to establish itself in the global car market.

Chery is targeting developing countries but wants to start exporting to the United States, Europe and other developed markets, said Qin Lihong, a vice president of its sales arm.

"Right now, we have that vision, but there is no concrete plan," Qin said.

Chery Chairman Yin Tongyao unveiled two new sedans meant for export and other vehicles at a ceremony ahead of the Shanghai Auto Show, which opens Sunday. Yin said the U.S. market was "attractive" but did not say when Chery might try to start selling there.

Chery, based in the eastern Chinese city of Wuhu, is the biggest of a group of up-and-coming Chinese automakers that are trying to expand into overseas markets. Others include Gel Automobile Group Ltd. and Shanghai Automotive Industries Ltd.

China's automakers exported some 325,000 vehicles last year, about 80 percent of them low-priced trucks and buses bound for developing markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America, the government says.

Many are eager to break into the U.S. market, the world's largest, but industry analysts say they will have trouble meeting American safety and environmental standards.

Some have improved their skills by forming partnerships with U.S., European or Japanese automakers.