A third automotive company – DR Motor – has shown its hand at the last minute expressing an interest in moving into part of Fiat’s Termini Imerese plant in Sicily, as the Italian and Sicilian governments prepare to divide up EUR450m (US$621m) in grants for the site. DR Motor told just-auto why it was so interested in the Fiat factory, scheduled to close at the end of this year.
What are DR’s projects for the Termini Imerese plant?
DR’s project is to produce four vehicle models in the Termini Imerese plant. We could then use the same Fiat production process of sheet metal working, painting and assembling.
What models are going to be produced in Termini Imerese?
The Dr2,Dr3, DR5 restyling, DR4 (sedan being designed).
Would the Termini Imerese project decrease the production activities in Macchia d’Isernia?
Absolutely not. On the contrary, the production activities in Macchia d’Isernia would increase thanks to the sportscar in addition to the DR1, already assembled there.
How would it be managed?
We want to manage Termini Imerese by ourselves, without any partners.
When is the Termini Imerese plant going to start?
We do not know exactly. It would depend on the next steps and obviously on the Fiat production ending, on 31 December.
What is your production target forecast?
It would be 60,000 vehicles per year, working at full capacity with four models.
Why did you choose Termini Imerese?
Because we want to improve our production capacity and also our business, according to DR’s plan to export its vehicles to Europe. Moreover we could manufacture our cars in Italy completely.
What would be Chery’s role?
It would remain a supplier. However, vehicles would be produced from the beginning in Termini Imerese, without any parts semi-produced in China
What is your investment forecast?
Still to be determined.
