AUTOSHOW-UPDATE 1-Brilliance plans US sales as early as 2007

By Fang Yan

SHANGHAI, April 23 (Reuters) - Chinese automaker Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei plans to ship its first sedans to the United States as early as this year, potentially making it China's first home-grown carmaker to crack the world's largest vehicle market.

Brilliance Jinbei, a unit of Brilliance China Automotive Holdings (1114.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), last year became the first of its Chinese peers to secure a major sales deal in Europe, beginning with its BS6 mid-ranged sedan priced at 19,000 to 23,000 euros ($31,270). "We are making preparations currently and hope to ship the first batch of BS6s to the United States late this year or in early 2008," Brilliance Jinbei President Zhigang Liu told Reuters on the sidelines of the Shanghai auto show late on Sunday.

The initial sales target and other details have yet to be worked out, he said.

Brilliance, BMW's (BMWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) China partner, is among a growing army of ambitious Chinese auto manufacturers, such as Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. (0175.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), that aim to emulate the global success of Toyota Motor Corp. (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Brilliance plans to sell 158,000 sedans to Europe over the next five years, including the BS6, following up with a coupe, a smaller sedan, a compact car and a sport utility vehicle by 2010.

Chery Automobile Co., which has made inroads into emerging markets in recent years, struck a deal with DaimlerChrysler DCXGn.DE in late 2006 to make Chrysler-branded models for Europe and other markets.

PHASED EXPANSION