As expected, DR Motor company, the subsidiary of Italian DR Automobiles Groupe, will become the owner of Fiat’s Sicilian Termini Imerse factory, which was closed in December last year. In an interview for Italian newspaper La Repubblica", Di Risio, founder and CEO of holding company, confirmed plans to start production of Chinese Chery models. DR Motor is still waiting for the green light from government agency Invitalia, which has to approve the new investment. If that happens, the company will get bank loans for the project. The first goal is to start assemble small SUV based on Chery Tiggo by the end of 2012.
At the Global Auto Forum in Chengdu yesterday Chery’s deputy top man, Mr. Lu Jian Hui, revealed that Chery will aim to export cars to Europe in 2015, the announcement will no doubt stop rumors of "When are the Chinese coming?" but will also give traditional European manufacturers a good opportunity to prepare for the Chinese. Mr. Lu was quoted as saying "Currently we are still focusing on Russia and South American markets, among others, as our major export markets. Our goal is to start selling vehicles in Europe after 2015".
Fiat will close Termini Imerese plant in Sicily by the end of the year, where Lancia Ypsilon was produced so far. The Italian company wants to sell own manufacture to local producer DR Motor, which sells modified models of Chinese Chery brands witch own "DR" logo. The new investor announced that will spend 115 millions EURO in the new business, is going to hire 1 300 workers and will produce 60 000 cars each year start from 2017. Negotiations with striking unions has been started today.
Australasia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), today issued a poor 2-star safety rating for the Chery J11 compact sports utility vehicle. This rating is based on the result of a frontal offset crash test only. ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan McIntosh, said the Chery J11 had been scheduled for an ANCAP side impact test as part of the ratings assessment, but was advised by the manufacturer that a recall campaign – similar to that conducted for the Chery J1 – had been initiated in relation to the side impact protection of the vehicle.
Chery's QQ has broken the one million sales mark, jfdaily.com reported today. The QQ (pictured) made its market debut in 2003, when it quickly became Chery's figurehead car. In 2006, the 30,000th QQ rolled off the production lines, cementing its place in the domestic subcompact market and as one of China's most iconic vehicles. To date, there are over ten different QQ models available.
Chery Automobile seriously thinks about expansion in Europe. In this case, Chinese company has signed agreement with the Austrian Magna Steyr company, which will help preparing cars to meet European requirements. If everything goes OK, sales of Chery will start next year - according to Financial Times Deutschland. Chery created the new name 'Qoros' specially for Europe - sources said.
Chery's new flagship car, the Riich G6, made its official market debut yesterday, auto.sohu.com reported. Chery held the opening ceremony at Beijing's Tiananmen Square' Flag Guard camp, where it presented a car to the Square's Flag Guard. The G6 (pictured) is built on the same platform as the manufacturer's Eastar Cross and G5 models. The sedan will come equipped with a 2.0 L turbocharged engine equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission making a top speed of 195 km/h.
Chery Automobile Co., China's largest domestic-brand automaker, is on track to nearly match or exceed its record for exports. Chery managed to export 14,110 vehicles in May, auto.sohu.com reported today. The figure, which is 75.21 percent higher than the amount exported this time last year, sets a new monthly record for the manufacturer.