Chinese vehicles have already begun to penetrate the UAE's growing market, says a report.

China's top-selling car brand, Chery, is now proving a popular choice with the UAE's newly qualified drivers, according to distributors Knowledge Automobiles and Trucks (KAT).

An increasing number of new drivers are opting for Chery as their first car, since the brand represents a value-for-money option, with prices starting from as low as Dh28,000 ($7,625), the Gulf News report quoted KAT as saying.

"Chery cars are ideal for medium to low income drivers. The cars are defined as value for money, with prices ranging from Dh28,000 to Dh60,000 and motors ranging from the 800cc QQ up to the 2.4l SUV Tiggo," Sanjeet Joher, group chief operating officer of KM Holding, parent company of KAT, said.

Chery is predicting worldwide sales of 340,000 vehicles in 2007, with a sales goal of one million by 2010.