ROME – DR Automobiles Groupe continues its expansion and, after Chery, Jac and Baic, has signed a new partnership with Dongfeng, another giant of the Chinese automotive industry. The company, founded in 1969, is one of the three largest Chinese automobile companies, is based in Wuhan in the hinterland of Hubei province and produces automobile components as well as passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
The collaboration with DR includes the development of three new product lines that will be marketed throughout Europe by the Molise Group following the model already adopted for existing partnerships. Based on Chinese platforms, Italian engineers develop the models taking into account the stylistic, but above all homologation, needs of the old continent. The models are then produced according to the specifications of the DR research and development center in China and then completed at the Molise assembly plant in Macchia d’Isernia. Once ready, the vehicles will be marketed through DR Automobiles Groupe’s Italian and European sales network.
Currently, the collaboration with Dongfeng includes the development of three new models that will be launched in Italy and the rest of Europe in the second half of the year. The series consists of a 4.5 meter SUV with a 177 hp 1.5 turbo petrol engine in combination with a 7-speed DCT gearbox, which is available for 27,900 euros with full equipment as standard. The development of DR’s termohybrid petrol/LPG technology is planned for this model.
The second car is a 4.85 meter long minivan with a 197 hp 1.5 turbo engine, also available for 27,900 euros and also in the thermohybrid version, while the third is a 7-seater Hev-Multispace with 5, Will be 2 meters long. The three models will feature the historic English Tiger brand, which was sold by Jim Dudley to DR Automobiles Groupe back in 2022.
But the expansion of the Molise Group will not end here, as the Macchia d’Isernia company expects to soon announce new partnerships with the most prestigious Asian manufacturers, confirming its appreciation towards the DR Automobiles Groupe.
