Despite the fact, that on the showroom a t Geneva was officially presented only one Chinese producers, Brilliance Auto, visitors could to see several models of Chery brand. DR Automobiles Groupe, the Italian network of dealers, presented four Chery’s models with own logo-brand 'DR Motor'. DR Motor is a subsidiary of DR Automobiles Groupe, which sells about 8,000 vehicles a year in Italy and has annual revenues of about €250 million.

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DR1 (Chery Faira NN, code S18) - this car was presented at Bologna Motors Show in December. The basic version is to cost 9,000 EUR, and its primary equipment will include: ABS, two airbags and electricity. Customers will have the possibility to order air conditioning, power steering and audio with USB additionally. The car, 3.6m long, is equipped with 1.3L petrol engine and 83 hp and 114 Nm of maximum torque. Car’s performance are typical for urban cars - maximum speed 156 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h - 12.5 s. The Chinese auto maker underlines the average fuel consumption, which is 5.8/100 km as well as low CO2 emission - 137 g/km. The importer considers the LPG installation as well (78 hp). The company plans to begin selling DR1 in Europe by mid-2009 and expects to sell 10,000 units of the model a year by 2010.

DR2 (Chery A1, code S12) - about of this model was very loudly during much-publicized potential cooperation between Chery and Chrysler, which ultimately came to no effect. This vehicle could be offered as a Dodge in Europe and the U.S. The car might be driven by one of two four-cylinders engine: 1.1L 16V (68hp) and 1.3L 16V (83hp), available with manual, five-speed gearbox. Although it is a typical city car (dimensions:3,700/1,578/1,527 mm) there are a lot of technically advanced elements: McPerson pillars, two-girth brake system, two air-bags, three-points seatbelts, DVD player, GPS, remote control central locking, electric windows and mirrors, rear park sensors.

DR3 (Jonway Ufo) i DR5 (Chery Tiggo) - this is really modernized version of second generation of Toyota RAV4 in 3- and 5-door variants. Despite the fact that both models are derived from two different companies, they are technically based on the same solutions. They will be use the Acteco petrol-engine 1.6L (109hp) produced by Chery Automobile. European importer will also offer vehicles with diesel engine 1.9L (120hp). This is modern engine with common-rail system, produced by Fiat Powertrain Technologies. Prices will start from about 16,000 EUR.

At the beginning of 2006, DR Automobiles was planning to start the sale of Happy Emissary model (which based on Daihatsu Move), produced by FAW - Hongta Yunnan Automobile company. The car was to cost 4,000 EUR, but high cost of adjusting it to European emission and safety standards increased the price to over 6,000 EUR. Missing official certification caused reprieve this project.

DR’s Geneva display signalled its European launch. This year it plans to start rolling out into other European markets, starting with Austria, then Spain, France, Germany, Scandinavia and East Europe. UK sales would depend on the availability of RHD models from Chery, and Zacchia said he did not know when these would be available.

Source: Autochiny

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