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DR Automobiles

111K views 143 replies 25 participants last post by  meidinchaina 
#1 ·
The new DR is set to become the first Chinese-inspired motor to go on sale in the UK
But DR is an international project. It looks astonishingly similar to the original Toyota RAV4, and just like that model, it comes in three and five-door layouts. However, the DR is designed and built in Italy. The firm, based between Naples and Rome, buys the chassis and running gear from Chinese motor maker Gonow, then builds its own bodies and interiors. The car gets its power from Fiat's 1.9-litre Multijet diesel.

"We will start production halfway through next year and we're hoping to sell around 12,000 cars a year in Europe," said a DR spokesman


"We will start production halfway through next year and we're hoping to sell around 12,000 cars a year in Europe," said a DR spokesman. "As Britain is an important market, we expect to be exporting there by 2008."

He also confirmed the company was hoping to undercut the prices of rivals. The three-door, two-wheel-drive model will cost £11,100. Prices for the five-door start at £12,800.

The top-spec SUV will be around £19,000, and it comes with satellite navigation, DVD screens in the rear and electric windows all round.
 
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#3 ·
yeah .. the Bricklin Car again ...

And again .... wait. ..
what ??


FAILED !!
 
#4 ·
The top-spec SUV will be around £19,000, and it comes with satellite navigation, DVD screens in the rear and electric windows all round.
No thanks, i dont see people paying that kind of $$ for what is really an embarrasment:D , they are better off going to enfield auction and getting a used lexus, m class, x5 or pajero for that kind of money:D
 
#5 ·
DR motor company

Has anyone heard about Italian company DR? In 2006 they presented two SUVs - DR3 and DR5.


Let me copy the text from Carsscoop:
From the initial facts that we’ve got in our hands, the 3door DR3 and its 5door equivalent, the DR5 that made their world premier at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy are the works of Massimo Di Risio, an ex-pilot who now is a car distributor in Insernia.

There’s no doubt about it that their interior and exterior design (ok, the front part looks like a Suzuki Grand Vitara) are inspired –to say the least, by the previous generation Toyota RAV4. As if that wasn’t enough listen to this: the car’s body which is made in China is shipped over to Italy where it’s assembled on a platform using Fiat’s 120 Hp 1.9 Turbodiesel engine! The press release tells us that the DR3 has a length of 3.850 mm with a wheelbase of 2.280 while the larger 5door DR5 rides on a 2.510mm wheelbase and is 4.285 mm long. 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) comes in 12,4 sec while top speed is 174km/h –DR say’s both versions have the same performance figures (…) According to the info we managed to translate from DR, the 3door and 5door versions of the Chinese/Italian SUV will go on sale in March with prices starting from about 16.000 euros! We’ll try to learn more about the DR3 and DR5 SUV’s and post them up as soon as possible.

According to my information, Cherry is supplying them with 5 door bodies. is that true? Because DR5 is similar to Chery Tiggo. And what about 3 door version? Tiggo does not exist with 3 doors.
So are they buying it from UFO? UFO is selling a Rav4-alike SUV with 3 doors but I don't know the name of the car.
 
#10 ·
So if Gonow is not yet producing RAV4-like bodies they can't provide DR company with them, right? How were then Itailans able to show concept cars at Bologna Auto Show?
Also there's a big resemblance between Chery Tiggo and DR 5 on one side and UFO's car and DR 3 on the other side (exterior and interior). Because Chery is a big player I still think it's somehow involved in this project.

If indeed Gonow will build cars for DR Company they either bought license from Chery and UFO or copied (stole) design elements.
 
#15 ·
For what it's worth, we paid a visit to Gonow recently.

Jason Zhang, who's a regular contributor to this forum was a very nice and helpful host - thanks for that.

We found no trace of anything, related to this DR SUV and Mr Zhang highlighted that DR is working with other companies and he never heard that GOnow would supply DR with bodies.

On the other hand, Feidei is very close to Gonow, so it is possible that DR will source the bodies from Feidei. At the airport there was a huge poster of the UFO :)

Regards,
Pal
 
#16 · (Edited)
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
Gonow is represented in Italy by DR!



This is the Katay (Gonow) sold in Italy by DR!
So either Mr. Jason doesn't know what he is talking about or he deliberately is not telling the truth, for what reason I don't know.

I agree the DR models are base on the old Toyota RAV models and that the swb is copied by Jonway (Feidie UFO) and the lwb by Chery (Tiggo); but it is still Gonow that is involved in DR activities. And it is DR that announces that Gonow is going to build the platforms and bodies for them.
 

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#20 ·
Chinese carmaker starts production in Europe

Chinese carmaker starts production in Europe
Posted on Monday 26 November 2007


In a big step forward for Chinese automakers, Chery Automobile has had its first European-assembled car roll off the production line at a brand new €11.8 million factory in Italy. The Chery Tiggo 3, a mid-sized SUV, is being assembled from kits imported by DR Motor from Chery to be sold in the Italian market as a rebadged DR5.


CEO of DR Motor, Luca Falasca, says there are plans to launch the DR5 in Germany, France and Spain by next summer, reports Automotive News. They also intend to boost production from 12,000 to 40,000 units by 2009.

The DR5 is being sold in Italy with both diesel and petrol options. The 1.6L petrol version costs €16,900 and comes packed with 109hp (81kW), while the 1.9L diesel with its 120hp (89kW) output is priced at €21,900.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/industry/chinese-carmaker-starts-production-in-europe/
 
#22 ·
Joest not to worry. We have all been in the dark about what DR is doing with these three Chinese carmakers: Gonow, Chery, and Zhejiang Jonway.

The major industry media never picked up on this hot story about a Chery-DR relationship. Outside of Italy there was a virtual blackout on the the first negotiations that DR had with these Chinese makers.

People were left thinking that Gonow was involved in the production of the
DR5 and DR3. This was wrong. I'm surprised that Jason (ZZFirst) of Gonow did not correct such thinking here.

If one takes a look at the body designs of these individual companies, it becomes clear.

As for Gonow, its only connection (currently) is its sale of Isuzu-based SUVs and pickup trucks to DR.
 
#26 · (Edited)
DR Motor presented production version of DR5, which is modified Chery Tiggo for European markets. This SUV in assembled in Italy from parts imported from China. The car is equiped with 1,6 litre gasoline engine with 81kW/109HP and Fiat's 1,9 diesel (89kW/120HP) engine. Suspension is also tuned for European roads.
Basic DR5 1,6 will be sold for in Italy for 16.900 EUR. Diesel will cost 21.900 EUR. The company plans to export car to Germany, France and Spain next year and hopes to sell 12.000 vehicles in 2008 and 40.000 in 2009. Too optimistic in my oppinion...




 
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