BEIJING - South America has become China's largest auto export market after rapid growth in recent years, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said on Friday.

China exported some 286,500 automobile units to South America in 2013, up 18.9 percent year-on-year, said Shi Jianhua, vice secretary-general of the association.

Exports to the region accounted for about 30 percent of China's total auto exports last year. Chile, Peru, Columbia and Uruguay, the four major destinations in South America, are also among China's top 10 auto export markets.

"Auto ownership in South America is much lower than in developed countries, and the potential for Chinese auto makers to develop on the continent is great," said Shi.