DR Automobiles Groupe is an Italian automobile company established in 2006. It mainly sells rebadged vehicles from Chinese automakers BAIC Group, Chery Automobile, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Changan Automobile (Since end of 2025) and JAC Motors.
It produces vehicles under 8 brands: DR, EVO, Sportequipe, ICH-X, Tiger, Birba, Katay, and Stilnovo.
History
The company was founded by Massimo Di Risio in 1985. In 2006 the DR brand was launched.[2] As of 2008, the company had offices in Rome, Campobasso and Pescara.[3][4]
Since November 2007, DR partners with Chery to assemble and distribute Chery vehicles in Italy under the DR brand.[5][6] Some Chery vehicles are assembled at a facility in Macchia d'Isernia to be sold as DR vehicles. The original Chery Tiggo was marketed as the DR 5, while the Riich M1 became the DR 1.[7]
The company had a network of 20 dealers in Italy at the end of 2018.[8]
In 2020, DR launched their first subbrand called EVO, which at the same year, the company started rebranding vehicles from BAIC Group.[9]
In 2022, DR added a more "premium" brand called Sportequipe, which are also rebranded Chery vehicles.[10][11] It also introduced the ICKX brand (later renamed to ICH-X due to a legal dispute with former motorsport driver Jacky Ickx), initially with one model in offer, the ICH-X K2, based on the first-generation Beijing BJ40;[12] at the same year, the company acquired the OSCA brand from the Maserati family.[13]
In February 2023, DR started selling its first electric vehicle, the DR 1.0, a rebranded Chery eQ1.[14]
Following the acquisition of Tiger Racing in 2023, in 2024 DR introduced the Tiger sub-brand,[15] which at the same year, the company started rebranding vehicles from Dongfeng Motor Corporation.
In 2025, DR Automobiles presented at the Turin Auto Show, a new brand that is going to be part of DR Motor Company, which is the brand Stilnovo.
Products
Current models
DR
- DR 1.0 (2023–present, based on the Chery eQ1)
- DR 3 / 3.0 (2016–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 3x)
- DR 5.0 (2020–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 5x)
- DR 5 (2026–present, based on the Changan CS35 Plus)
- DR 6.0 (2022–present, based on the second-generation Chery Tiggo 7)
- DR 7.0 (2023–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 8)
- DR PK8 (2023–present, based on the JAC Shuailing T8)
- Public DR Six based on the Beijing Mofang
EVO
- EVO 3 (2020–present, based on the JAC Refine S2)
- EVO 4 (2020–present, based on the JAC Refine S3)
- EVO Cuatro (2025–present, Spanish model based on the Kaiyi Showjet)[16]
- EVO 5 (2020–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 3 between 2020 and 2022, and later the second-generation Beijing X3 since 2023)
- EVO 6 (2020–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 5 between 2020 and 2021, and later the second-generation Forthing T5 EVO since 2024)
- EVO 7 (2023–present, based on the Sehol X8)
- EVO 7 Kairos (2025–present, based on the JAC QX)
- EVO 8 (2024–present, based on the Kaiyi Kunlun)
- EVO Cross 4 (2022–present, based on the JAC Shuailing T8)
- EVO Spazio (2024–present, based on the Forthing Yacht)
ICH-X
Formerly known as ICKX between 2022 and 2024.
- ICH-X K2 (2023–present, based on the first-generation Beijing BJ40)
- ICH-X K3 (2024–present, based on the Jetour T2)
- ICH-X K4 (2024–present, based on the JAC Hunter)
Sportequipe
- Sportequipe 6 (2023–present, based on the second-generation Chery Tiggo 7)
- Sportequipe 6 GT (2024–present, based on the Jetour Dashing)
- Sportequipe 7 GTW (2024–present, based on the Jetour X70)
- Sportequipe 8 (2023–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max)
- Sportequipe 8 GT (2025–present, based on the Kaiyi Kunlun)
Tiger
- Tiger Six (2024–present, based on the Beijing Mofang)
- Tiger Seven (2024–present, based on the Sehol QX)
- Tiger Eight (2024–present, based on the Beijing X7)
- Tiger Nine (2025–present, based on the Forthing Xinghai V9)
Birba
- Birba (2025–present, based on the Chery QQ Ice Cream), which is their first heavy quadricycle.
Katay
- Katay 35C (2025–present, based on the Karry X6)
- Katay 24C (2025–present, based on the Foton Xiangling Q)
- Katay 16 (2025–present, based on the Reach T10)
- Katay 17 (2025–present, based on the Linxys G050p)
Stilnovo
- Stilnovo 5 (2026–present, based on the Changan CS35 Plus)
- Stilnovo 6 (2026–present, based on the Changan CS55 Plus)
DR
- DR 1.0 (2023–present, based on the Chery eQ1)
- DR 3 / 3.0 (2016–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 3x)
- DR 5.0 (2020–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 5x)
- DR 5 (2026–present, based on the Changan CS35 Plus)
- DR 6.0 (2022–present, based on the second-generation Chery Tiggo 7)
- DR 7.0 (2023–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 8)
- DR PK8 (2023–present, based on the JAC Shuailing T8)
- Public DR Six based on the Beijing Mofang
EVO
- EVO 3 (2020–present, based on the JAC Refine S2)
- EVO 4 (2020–present, based on the JAC Refine S3)
- EVO Cuatro (2025–present, Spanish model based on the Kaiyi Showjet)[16]
- EVO 5 (2020–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 3 between 2020 and 2022, and later the second-generation Beijing X3 since 2023)
- EVO 6 (2020–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 5 between 2020 and 2021, and later the second-generation Forthing T5 EVO since 2024)
- EVO 7 (2023–present, based on the Sehol X8)
- EVO 7 Kairos (2025–present, based on the JAC QX)
- EVO 8 (2024–present, based on the Kaiyi Kunlun)
- EVO Cross 4 (2022–present, based on the JAC Shuailing T8)
- EVO Spazio (2024–present, based on the Forthing Yacht)
ICH-X
Formerly known as ICKX between 2022 and 2024.
- ICH-X K2 (2023–present, based on the first-generation Beijing BJ40)
- ICH-X K3 (2024–present, based on the Jetour T2)
- ICH-X K4 (2024–present, based on the JAC Hunter)
Sportequipe
- Sportequipe 6 (2023–present, based on the second-generation Chery Tiggo 7)
- Sportequipe 6 GT (2024–present, based on the Jetour Dashing)
- Sportequipe 7 GTW (2024–present, based on the Jetour X70)
- Sportequipe 8 (2023–present, based on the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max)
- Sportequipe 8 GT (2025–present, based on the Kaiyi Kunlun)
Tiger
- Tiger Six (2024–present, based on the Beijing Mofang)
- Tiger Seven (2024–present, based on the Sehol QX)
- Tiger Eight (2024–present, based on the Beijing X7)
- Tiger Nine (2025–present, based on the Forthing Xinghai V9)
Birba
- Birba (2025–present, based on the Chery QQ Ice Cream), which is their first heavy quadricycle.
Katay
- Katay 35C (2025–present, based on the Karry X6)
- Katay 24C (2025–present, based on the Foton Xiangling Q)
- Katay 16 (2025–present, based on the Reach T10)
- Katay 17 (2025–present, based on the Linxys G050p)
Stilnovo
- Stilnovo 5 (2026–present, based on the Changan CS35 Plus)
- Stilnovo 6 (2026–present, based on the Changan CS55 Plus)
Former models
DR
- DR 1 (2009–2014, based on the Riich M1)
- DR 2 (2010–2014, based on the Chery A1)
- DR 4 (2016–2020, based on the JAC Refine S3)
- DR 5 (2007–2020, based on the Chery Tiggo 3)
- DR 6 (2016–2020, based on the Chery Tiggo 5)
- DR 4.0 (2022–2024, based on the Chery Tiggo 5x, continuation of the pre-facelift DR 5.0)
- DR CityCross / CityVan (2013–2016, based on the Riich X1)
- DR F35 (2020–2023, based on the first-generation Chery Tiggo 7)
- DR Zero (2015–2019, based on the second-generation Chery QQ3)
EVO
- EVO 5 first generation (2020–2023, based on the Chery Tiggo 3)
- EVO 6 first generation (2021, based on the Chery Tiggo 5)
Sportequipe
- Sportequipe 1 (2022 prototype, based on the Chery eQ1)
- Sportequipe 5 (2023–2025, based on the Chery Tiggo 5x)
- Sportequipe 7 (2023–2025, based on the Chery Tiggo 8)
- Sportequipe SK (2022 prototype, based on the JAC Shuailing T8)
DR
- DR 1 (2009–2014, based on the Riich M1)
- DR 2 (2010–2014, based on the Chery A1)
- DR 4 (2016–2020, based on the JAC Refine S3)
- DR 5 (2007–2020, based on the Chery Tiggo 3)
- DR 6 (2016–2020, based on the Chery Tiggo 5)
- DR 4.0 (2022–2024, based on the Chery Tiggo 5x, continuation of the pre-facelift DR 5.0)
- DR CityCross / CityVan (2013–2016, based on the Riich X1)
- DR F35 (2020–2023, based on the first-generation Chery Tiggo 7)
- DR Zero (2015–2019, based on the second-generation Chery QQ3)
EVO
- EVO 5 first generation (2020–2023, based on the Chery Tiggo 3)
- EVO 6 first generation (2021, based on the Chery Tiggo 5)
Sportequipe
- Sportequipe 1 (2022 prototype, based on the Chery eQ1)
- Sportequipe 5 (2023–2025, based on the Chery Tiggo 5x)
- Sportequipe 7 (2023–2025, based on the Chery Tiggo 8)
- Sportequipe SK (2022 prototype, based on the JAC Shuailing T8)
External links
References
- https://www.quattroruote.it/news/nuovi-modelli/2025/03/27/birba_il_gruppo_dr_debutta_nel_segmento_delle_microcar.html^
- Tribunale di Isernia (PDF;, retrieved 6 June 2020^
- Marek Brzeżański, Robert Jabłoński: ''Cars of the World. 2008 · 2009.'' Moto Media Print, Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki 2008, ISBN 978-83-61604-12-9, page 323.^
- Viaggia sugli spot il Suv low cost prodotto a Isernia Il Sole 24 ORE, retrieved 2018-06-09^
- Luca Ciferri. Italians to help Chery Automotive News Europe, 2008-12-08, retrieved 2024-05-17^
- Ally. DR Motor to sell rebadged Chery cars by mid-'09 Gasgoo, 2009-03-09, retrieved 2024-05-17^
- Chery launches DR Euro brand AUTOCAR, 2009-03-03, retrieved 2024-05-17^
- I NOSTRI DEALERS DR Motor Company S.p.A., retrieved 2018-12-19^
- Massimo Grassi. Dove vengono prodotte le auto DR? Motor1 Italia, 2023-10-23, retrieved 2024-05-17^
- DR Automobiles Group’s new Italian brand unveils LPG hybrid Sportequipe 8 auto-gas.net, 2022-10-26, retrieved 2024-05-17^
- Alessandro Rigatto. Sportequipe 8: la nuova top di gamma alVolante.it, 2022-10-17, retrieved 2024-05-17^
- Gianmarco Gori. Sportequipe e ICKX, ecco a chi si rivolgono i due nuovi marchi DR Motor1 Italia, 2022-06-17, retrieved 2022-10-19^
- Rosario Murgida. O.S.C.A. - Il proprietario della DR rilancerà lo storico marchio bolognese Quattroruote.it, 2022-09-19, retrieved 2024-07-19^
- Mirco Magni. DR 1.0 EV - L'elettrica mignon ha quattro posti e prezzi sotto i 20 mila euro Quattroruote.it, 2023-02-13, retrieved 2024-05-17^
- Emiliano Ragoni. Debutta in Italia il marchio Tiger alVolante.it, 2024-04-16, retrieved 2024-12-07^
- EVO CUATRO - Automóviles EVO 2025-08-27, retrieved 2025-10-13^