Dr Automobiles made the maxi pole project in Isernia official to the government

At a meeting in Rome, at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, the founder and chairman of Dr Automobiles, Massimo Di Risio, made official - in the presence of Minister Adolfo Urso - the project for a new mega automotive pole to be built in Molise, in Macchia d'Isernia. On the contents and outcome of the meeting there is the utmost secrecy. The ministry only let it be known that 'green transition and Dr development plans in Italy' were discussed.

The meeting apparently forms part of the government's plans to return to producing at least one million cars in Italy. And it follows the mission of the Prime Minister and Minister Urso himself to China in recent days. 'The recent agreement between EuroGroup and Hixih,' explained Minister Urso, 'falls fully within the government's objectives in the field of green technology and electric mobility. Others will follow in the coming days to mark the new course outlined by the three-year action plan and the cooperation agreement'.

What projects have been presented?Dr has planned a mega investment for which he is also studying the possibility of accessing public incentives, according to the Pnrr. It will build a new plant where full electric and hybrid (petrol and LPG and electric and petrol) cars will be assembled.A large part of the components will be from Chinese suppliers (but not only) with whom the Molise-based company has had intensive collaborations for years. These include leading players such as Chery and Baic, and recently also Dongfeng. And others with whom Di Risio's company is about to sign other agreements. In the new plant, in short, Dr plans to radically change its production model. So far, in fact, it has imported a significant part of the car, equal to 70%, to which it has added some Italian-made components (including the fuel system and interiors); in the near future, the entire assembly should take place in Italy. A formula that is of great interest to Chinese operators, especially after the tightening of duties on electric cars decided by Europe. Dr has initially planned an investment of 50 million, but considers the figure revisable upwards.

The investment plan is being launched at a time of clear growth for the Isernia-based group. In 2023 Dr achieved a turnover of 700 million against 458 million in 2022, and sold 36,193 cars between Italy and Spain against 29,833 in 2022. It has more than doubled its production lines and its 500 employees now work in three shifts. The staggering increase in demand has given reason to produce a car that maintains a lower price than its competitors, and a competitive quality level.

This production model (importing 70% of the car) was the subject of an investigation and a measure by the Agcm (Competition and Market Control Authority). The Authority has imposed a fine of six million, claiming that in its commercial communications Dr has deceptively indicated Italy instead of China as the place of production of Dr and Evo cars. The company is preparing an appeal to the TAR, which will be filed in September.