Italian automobile manufacturer DR Automobiles had presented cars imported from the Chinese automobile company Chery as belonging to it, but this situation was revealed and the company was fined 6 million euros by the decision of the Italian Antimonopoly Authority (AGCM). In this respect he is writing Referring to the AGCM decision, the Reuters agency stated that DR Automobiles was fined for misleading consumers about the Chinese origin of the cars in the decision of the case.
As can be seen from the case materials, the fined company supplied the Chery Tiggo 2 and Tiggo 4 models from China, and these were later sold under the DR and Evo brands in the European Union. While the cars were mostly made in China, they were labeled and distributed in the eurozone as if they were made in Italy. Only minor operations were carried out in Italy to change the logos, upholstery and minor additional assemblies of Chery cars.
DR Automobiles said it would appeal the anti-monopoly ruling, arguing that it had never claimed that its cars were entirely Italian. Company founder Massimo Di Risio described the AGCM’s decision as incredible.
“We completely reject the AGCM’s decision and intend to appeal it. “We are sure that it will be canceled completely,” he said.
The agency’s interlocutor added that his company plans to intensify its activities at its factory in the Italian commune of Macchia d’Isernia by opening a new facility for the assembly of new Chinese models. At the same time, Italy has recently taken a tough stance on the origin of goods marked “Made in Italy” as well as on the national flag. So, in May 2024, the Stellantis automobile concern was forced to remove the Italian flag from the rear bumper of the compact crossover Fiat 600, which was assembled in Poland despite the Italian jurisdiction of the Fiat brand. In this case, officials also pointed out that mislabeling the car’s country of origin was misleading to buyers.
It was previously known that Chery. started Sale of Fengyun T6 crossover with “floating” roof.