Italy's DR Motor builds Chinese SUV
by Luca Ciferri, Automotive News Europe
November 19, 2007
TURIN -- On November 15, almost a year after its debut at the Bologna auto show, the first DR5 medium SUV rolled off the assembly line of DR Motor Co. in Macchia d’Isernia in southern Italy.
DR Motor, a car-manufacturing subsidiary of Italian dealer group DR Automobiles Groupe, plans to build 12,000 units of the DR5 in 2008.
The five-door SUV is assembled from semi-knockdown kits of the Tiggo 3, a medium SUV built by Chinese automaker Chery Automobile Co.
The DR5 gasoline version arrives in Italy already equipped with a 109hp 1.6-liter Acteco engine built by Chery.
But for diesel versions, Fiat Powertrain Technologies supplies both a 120hp 1.9-liter common rail unit and a dedicated gearbox that DR Motor will install.
Both engines use Robert Bosch engine management systems.
In Italy, DR Motor has priced the DR5 at 16,900 euros for the gasoline version and 21,900 euros for the diesel variant.
DR Motor has invested 11.8 million euros so far in the DR5, DR Motor CEO Luca Falasca told Automotive News Europe in a phone interview.
In 2008, DR Motor also is planning to introduce the DR3, a three-door medium SUV assembled from complete knockdown kits from Chinese carmaker Jonway. Jonway sells the vehicle as the UFO in China.
DR Motor is currently talking with Carrozzeria Bertone to assemble the DR3 at the Italian coachbuilder’s plant in Grugliasco, on the outskirts of Turin.
If it cannot reach a deal with Bertone, DR Motor will assemble the DR3 in Macchia d’Isernia. Falasca said the company has a €12 million plan to build a second facility there.