(Yicai Global) Jan. 16 -- Chinese state-owned carmaker Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. aims to sell its own branded cars in the US market before the end of next year, Xinhua News Agency cited Feng Xingya, the firm's general manager, as saying at the North American International Auto Show yesterday.

The firm, based in China's southern Guangdong province, will set up a sales company in the country and also join authoritative organization, the National Automobile Dealers Association.

The US market is one of the most challenging markets in the world, and GAC is well prepared, having already overcome technical barriers in terms of safety standards, Feng said.

The company will also establish a research and development center in Detroit for gas-fuelled vehicles, as well as a design studio in Los Angeles. GAC previously set up an R&D facility in Silicon Valley last year, devoted to intelligent automobile systems and autonomous driving technology.

GAC showcased its self-developed GA4 compact car model at the North American International Auto Show yesterday, which is expected to go on sale in China on Thursday. The company also put on display its new energy concept car Enverge, targeted at the North American market and set to be rolled out in 2019.