Dongfeng Motors, who the Chinese group is and what it does, ready to produce cars in Italy

Dongfeng, in Chinese East Wind, is a Wuhan-based car manufacturer founded in 1969, but until 1992 it was known as Second Automobile Works. Its origins can be found in a directive from then Chairman Mao Zedong as part of the Third Front strategy. Considered one of the big three automobile manufacturers, it is now among the top four with Chang'an Motors, Faw Group and Saic Motor.

Initially an assembler of commercials so much so that in 2001 they constituted around 73% of all assembled products, in 2012 the figure was incredibly reversed so that 73% of products are now cars. Between 1978-1985, the group was on the side of the Chinese economic reforms, but at a later stage was transformed into a single enterprise that was always centrally managed by the Chinese government.

By the mid-1980s its assets had tripled from those initially granted by the state in 1981 and management was pushing for more production capacity. In 1992 it entered into its first joint venture with the French Psa group, but in 1995 Dongfeng got into financial difficulties like other Chinese manufacturers, forcing it to undergo extensive restructuring.

In February 2014, Dongfeng Motor Group participated in the recapitalisation of Psa Peugeot Citroen by acquiring 14% of the French carmaker. In 2017, Dongfeng signed a joint venture with Renault-Nissan to develop and sell electric vehicles such as the eGT in China. Then, in April 2023, the E70, the world's first production electric car with motors integrated in the rear wheels, was launched.

The offer for our market will consist of three cars under the Voyah brand, of which only two have been presented so far: the suv Free, capable of 350 kW and an autonomy of 500 km, and the enormous Dream MPV. The other Forthing brand for Europe plans to launch three more cars, all suvs of course, in not only electric but also full hybrid petrol and even LPG modes.