Great Wall Motor sets up its first auto plant in Russia

Chinese carmakers are stepping up forays into overseas markets in the hope of increasing sales and bolstering their image amid fierce competition at home.

Great Wall Motor, which has built a plant in Russia to make Haval SUVs, rolled out the first car from its Russian production line on Wednesday.

The plant, covering 230 hectares in Tula - an industrial town 193 kilometers south of Moscow - was put into operation in April.