DR Automobiles

DR Automobiles

DR Automobiles Groupe S.r.l.
🇮🇹 Italy

Italian company from Molise that has been rebadging Chinese cars for the European market since 2006. It runs several brands - DR, EVO, Sportequipe and others - on vehicles sourced from Chery, BAIC, JAC, Dongfeng and Changan, with final assembly at its own plant in Macchia d'Isernia.

Explainers

Europe's Car Brands: The Ownership Structure
Europe's Car Brands: The Ownership Structure

Most European badges trace back to about five mega-groups - Volkswagen, Stellantis, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Renault. But several beloved European brands are now owned abroad, in China, India and the UAE, and a few Chinese and joint-venture names now sell under European flags. Here is who owns what in 2026.
About

DR Automobiles Groupe grew out of a business founded by Massimo Di Risio in 1985, and launched the DR car brand in 2006 with a simple model: buy vehicles from Chinese manufacturers, complete them in Italy, and sell them through an Italian dealer network at prices below the established brands. Chery was the first partner, from 2007, and its Tiggo became the DR 5.

The group has since multiplied its badges rather than its engineering. DR covers the mainstream range, EVO sits below it on price, Sportequipe takes the coupé-styled models, and ICH-X handles the boxier off-road look, with several smaller names alongside. Donor vehicles now come from Chery, BAIC, JAC, Dongfeng and, from the end of 2025, Changan. Assembly is at Macchia d’Isernia in Molise, and the company remains privately held by the founding family.

Frequently asked questions
Who owns DR Automobiles?
DR Automobiles is owned by Di Risio family.
What country is DR Automobiles from?
DR Automobiles is a Italian brand, headquartered in Macchia d'Isernia.
When was DR Automobiles founded?
DR Automobiles was founded in 2006.
What kind of cars does DR Automobiles make?
DR Automobiles makes rebadged Chinese SUVs and crossovers.
Who makes DR Automobiles cars?
The vehicles are designed and largely built by Chinese manufacturers - Chery, BAIC, JAC, Dongfeng and, from late 2025, Changan - and finished at DR's own plant in Macchia d'Isernia, Italy, where they get DR, EVO or Sportequipe badges.
Is DR an Italian car brand?
The company is Italian, family-owned and based in Molise, and final assembly happens in Italy. The engineering is not: DR does not develop its own cars, and every model traces back to a Chinese donor vehicle.
Search