China`s Brilliance Auto has signed an agreement to assemble more than 100,000 cars in Russia over the next five years, as it steps up its global expansion plans, state media said Friday.

The Chinese automaker will export its 1.6 to 1.8 litre Junjie compact sedan in parts from 2008 and assemble them at a facility run by local Russian partner IRITO Group, the Shanghai Securities News reported.

The move to Russia marks the north China`s Shengyang-based carmaker`s latest attempt to expand overseas. Brilliance, German luxury car maker BMW`s China partner, already has plants in Egypt, Vietnam and North Korea.

It is aiming to sell 75,000 cars to Europe by 2010 and more than double that amount within the following five years, according to earlier Chinese press reports.

However, the ambitious plans appeared to be dented after the company`s BS6 sedan failed to pass a benchmark German crash test in June when it was about to enter the European market.
sections: Economics, World News