BRASILIA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Vehicle production in Brazil climbed by 40 percent in April year-on-year, the national association of automakers, Anfavea, announced on Monday.

According to the report, 266,111 vehicles were made in April, including cars, trucks and buses, compared with 189,487 units in April 2017.

Between January and April, the Brazilian automotive industry has been racing ahead, seeing 20.7 percent growth, with a total production of 965,865 units.

However, the total volume of vehicles produced is slightly lower than the average of the last decade for the first four months of the year (975,000 units).

According to Anfavea, 253,000 vehicles were exported in 2018 so far, marking a 7.5 percent hike on the record export level seen in 2017.

Domestic sales also showed a strong rebound, reaching 763,000 units by April, or 21 percent more year-on-year.

This marked recovery, driven by exports, has also helped employment to grow in the automotive sector. Total jobs for the sector climbed from 126,500 to 131,700 in a year, or growth of 4.1 percent.

Automakers have indicated they hope to close 2018 with an overall production rise of 13.2 percent, which would translate to slightly more than 3 million produced vehicles.

According to Anfavea, domestic sales should reach around 2.5 million units, or 11.7 more than last year.

It also expects exports to reach a new all-time high, with around 800,000 units sent overseas.