OREANDA-NEWS. Chinese automotive group Chery Automobile Co plans to build a factory in Brazil to manufacture engines and gearboxes, said the chairman of the group's Brazilian subsidiary, Luis Curi.

Cited by the Brazilian press, Curi noted that the amount of investment and location of the factory had yet to be decided, but added that everything would be decided quickly so that engines and gearboxes can be manufactured at the same time as the future car factory starts operating.

The group is investing USD 400 million in building a factory with estimated production of 150,000 vehicles per year in the city of Jacareн, in the state of Sao Paulo, which is expected to start operating at the end of 2013 or beginning of 2014.

The chairman of the Brazilian subsidiary noted that the factory would precede construction of a group technology centre in Brazil, which may be built in partnership with a science institution.

"The priority for now is the engine factory," said Curi, adding that two kinds of engines – 1000cc and 1500cc – would be manufactured.