DR Automobiles Groupe
Italian automobile company that develops, assembles, imports and distributes vehicles marketed under the DR group of brands.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
DR Automobiles Groupe is an Italian automotive company founded by Massimo Di Risio. Although the company dates its origins to 1985, its principal DR vehicle brand was launched in 2006. The business is associated with a low-cost and value-oriented approach based on cooperation with Chinese vehicle manufacturers, the adaptation or rebadging of vehicles for the Italian market, local assembly of selected models, and distribution through a branded dealer network. The company's most important early industrial relationship was established with Chery Automobile in 2007. Through that partnership, vehicles derived from Chery products were sold in Italy under DR names, including the Chery Tiggo as the DR 5 and the Riich M1 as the DR 1. Some vehicles were assembled at the company's facility in Macchia d'Isernia, while the company also maintained offices in Rome, Campobasso and Pescara. This operating model allowed DR to participate in the Italian market without developing an entirely independent vehicle platform and powertrain portfolio. DR subsequently broadened its supplier base and brand architecture. In 2020 it introduced EVO as a more accessible companion marque and began rebranding vehicles associated with BAIC Group. The group later introduced Sportequipe in 2022 as a more premium-positioned line, while its off-road-oriented ICH-X marque originated under the name ICKX. The ICKX designation was changed to ICH-X following a legal dispute involving the name of former motorsport driver Jacky Ickx. Also in 2022, DR acquired the OSCA name from the Maserati family, linking the group to a historic Italian marque even though the later OSCA vehicle plans described in reference material are prototypes rather than established mass-market products. Electrification entered the range in February 2023 with the DR 1.0, an electric city car derived from the Chery eQ1. The group also expanded into additional vehicle categories and supplier relationships. After acquiring Tiger Racing in 2023, it introduced the Tiger sub-brand in 2024 and began marketing vehicles associated with Dongfeng Motor Corporation. Its portfolio has included passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, light commercial vehicles, pickups, electric vehicles and heavy quadricycles. The Birba marque, introduced in 2025 with a vehicle based on the Chery QQ Ice Cream, represents the group's first heavy quadricycle offering. Katay was introduced for light commercial products. By the mid-2020s, the group operated a multi-brand structure comprising DR, EVO, Sportequipe, ICH-X, Tiger, Birba, Katay and Stilnovo. Stilnovo was presented at the 2025 Turin Auto Show as a new brand intended to form part of DR Motor Company, with products planned around Changan-based vehicles. The reference material also identifies future or prototype projects under Itala and OSCA. DR's identity therefore combines Italian branding, sales and market adaptation with extensive sourcing and technological cooperation from Chinese manufacturers. Its principal commercial focus has been Italy, where it had a network of 20 dealers at the end of 2018.
History
DR Automobiles traces its origins to 1985, when Massimo Di Risio established the business that would later develop into the DR automotive group. The company's best-known commercial identity emerged in 2006 with the launch of the DR brand. Rather than pursuing the capital-intensive development of a complete proprietary vehicle range, DR built its market proposition around cooperation with overseas manufacturers, Italian branding and market adaptation. A defining stage began in November 2007, when DR entered into a partnership with Chery Automobile. Chery-derived vehicles were assembled in part at Macchia d'Isernia and sold through the Italian market under DR names. The original Chery Tiggo was marketed as the DR 5, while the Riich M1 became the DR 1. This arrangement gave DR access to established vehicle platforms while allowing it to control the customer-facing brand, distribution and local commercial positioning. By 2008, the company had offices in Rome, Campobasso and Pescara. Its Italian dealer network reached 20 outlets by the end of 2018. The group began formalizing a multi-brand strategy in 2020. EVO was introduced as its first sub-brand, initially using vehicles associated with JAC and Chery and later incorporating products connected with other Chinese manufacturers. In the same period, DR also started rebranding vehicles from BAIC Group. The company continued to use the DR name for mainstream vehicles while giving separate identities to products intended for different price points or customer groups. In 2022, DR introduced Sportequipe as a more premium-oriented brand. It also launched ICKX, an off-road-oriented marque initially represented by the ICKX K2, based on the first-generation Beijing BJ40. The name was subsequently changed to ICH-X following a legal dispute connected with the use of the Ickx name. During 2022, DR acquired the OSCA brand from the Maserati family. The acquisition expanded the group's collection of Italian automotive names, although the OSCA products identified in the reference material remain prototype projects. The company entered electric mobility in February 2023 with the DR 1.0, a rebadged version of the Chery eQ1. At the same time, the group continued broadening its conventional range with sport utility vehicles, pickups and commercial products. The later acquisition of Tiger Racing in 2023 led to the creation of the Tiger sub-brand, which was introduced in 2024. Tiger vehicles were associated with Dongfeng-derived products, adding another Chinese manufacturing relationship to DR's existing network. DR's portfolio continued to diversify in 2025. Birba was introduced with a compact heavy quadricycle based on the Chery QQ Ice Cream, while Katay was used for light commercial vehicles based on products from manufacturers including Karry, Foton and Linxys. The company also presented Stilnovo at the 2025 Turin Auto Show. Stilnovo was described as a new brand within the DR Motor Company structure, with planned products based on Changan vehicles. The reference material identifies Changan cooperation from the end of 2025 and lists Stilnovo and DR models derived from Changan products for 2026. By this stage, DR Automobiles had developed a house of brands consisting of DR, EVO, Sportequipe, ICH-X, Tiger, Birba, Katay and Stilnovo, with additional historic or prototype identities such as OSCA and Itala. Its history is consequently characterized less by a single proprietary model lineage than by the expansion of a flexible Italian automotive platform that combines local branding, distribution and selected assembly with imported or jointly sourced vehicle technologies. The company remains principally associated with the Italian market.
- 2025
Stilnovo presented
[1]Stilnovo was presented at the Turin Auto Show as a planned addition to the group.
- 2024
Tiger brand introduced
[1]DR introduced Tiger after acquiring Tiger Racing in 2023.
- 2023
Electric vehicle sales began
[1]The DR 1.0, based on the Chery eQ1, became DR's first electric vehicle.
- 2022
Sportequipe and ICH-X created
[1]DR added the Sportequipe and ICKX marques; ICKX was later renamed ICH-X.
- 2022
OSCA acquired
[1]The company acquired the OSCA brand from the Maserati family.
- 2020
EVO introduced
[1]The group launched EVO as its first sub-brand and expanded cooperation with Chinese vehicle suppliers.
- 2007
Chery partnership established
[1]DR began cooperating with Chery to assemble and distribute Chery-derived vehicles in Italy.
- 2006
DR vehicle brand launched
[1]The DR marque was introduced as the company's principal automotive brand.
- 1985
Company origins
[1]Massimo Di Risio founded the business that later developed into DR Automobiles.
Products and positioning
Value-oriented Italian automotive group using a portfolio of proprietary marques, locally adapted or rebadged vehicles, and manufacturing and supply relationships with Chinese automobile companies. Its brands cover mainstream, premium-styled, off-road, commercial, electric and compact mobility segments.
Electric city car · 2023
DR 1.0
The DR 1.0 is the group's first electric vehicle, introduced in 2023. It is derived from the Chery eQ1 and extends the DR brand into compact battery-electric urban mobility.
Sport utility vehicle · 2020
DR 5.0
The DR 5.0 is a mainstream sport utility vehicle based on the Chery Tiggo 5x. It represents the continuation of DR's practice of adapting Chinese-developed vehicles for sale under Italian group branding.
Sport utility vehicle · 2022
DR 6.0
The DR 6.0 is a larger DR sport utility vehicle based on the second-generation Chery Tiggo 7. It occupies a higher position in the mainstream DR range than the compact DR 5.0.
Sport utility vehicle · 2023
DR 7.0
The DR 7.0 is a larger sport utility vehicle derived from the Chery Tiggo 8. It forms part of the group's upper mainstream DR portfolio.
Sport utility vehicle · 2020
EVO 5
EVO 5 is a compact sport utility vehicle whose underlying product changed over time. Early versions were based on the Chery Tiggo 3, while later versions used the second-generation Beijing X3.
Sport utility vehicle · 2020
EVO 6
EVO 6 is a sport utility vehicle offered under the EVO marque. Its first versions were related to the Chery Tiggo 5, while later versions were based on the second-generation Forthing T5 EVO.
Sport utility vehicle · 2024
Sportequipe 6 GT
The Sportequipe 6 GT is a more premium-positioned crossover derived from the Jetour Dashing. It is part of the Sportequipe line introduced to separate higher-styled products from the core DR range.
Off-road vehicle · 2023
ICH-X K2
The ICH-X K2 was the initial model of the group's off-road-oriented ICH-X marque. It is based on the first-generation Beijing BJ40 and was originally sold under the ICKX name.
Sport utility vehicle · 2024
Tiger Six
Tiger Six is one of the first vehicles introduced under the Tiger sub-brand after DR's acquisition of Tiger Racing. It is based on the Beijing Mofang.
Heavy quadricycle · 2025
Birba
Birba is a compact heavy quadricycle based on the Chery QQ Ice Cream. Introduced in 2025, it represents the group's first product in the heavy-quadricycle category.
Light commercial vehicle · 2025
Katay 35C
Katay 35C is a light commercial vehicle based on the Karry X6. It belongs to the Katay marque, which was introduced for commercial products.
Sport utility vehicle · 2026
Stilnovo 5
Stilnovo 5 is a planned model based on the Changan CS35 Plus. It is associated with the Stilnovo brand presented by DR in 2025.
Brand decisions
2025
Presented the Stilnovo brandStrategyBackground
DR continued to divide its portfolio into distinct identities covering different segments and source manufacturers.
Action taken
The company presented Stilnovo at the Turin Auto Show as a new brand intended to be part of DR Motor Company.
Aftermath
The planned Stilnovo range added Changan-based products to the group's future brand structure.
2024
Expanded through Tiger Racing and Dongfeng-related productsM&ABackground
DR was broadening its brand portfolio and supplier relationships across additional vehicle categories.
Action taken
After acquiring Tiger Racing in 2023, DR introduced the Tiger marque and began rebranding vehicles associated with Dongfeng Motor Corporation.
Aftermath
Tiger became another active brand within the group's expanding house of marques.
2023
Entered electric mobility with the DR 1.0Product launchBackground
The group needed an electric offering as battery-powered urban vehicles became an increasingly important part of the automotive market.
Action taken
DR began selling the DR 1.0, based on the Chery eQ1.
Aftermath
The model gave DR an electric product while preserving its established supplier-based development approach.
2022
Expanded into premium-styled and off-road marquesStrategyBackground
The group sought to cover customer segments beyond its mainstream DR and EVO offerings.
Action taken
DR introduced Sportequipe and the off-road marque initially called ICKX, later renamed ICH-X.
Aftermath
The group gained separate brands for premium-styled and rugged vehicle positioning.
2020
Created the EVO sub-brandStrategyBackground
DR was expanding beyond a single marque and needed additional identities for different product and price positions.
Action taken
The group launched EVO and used it for vehicles sourced from several Chinese manufacturers, including JAC and Chery-related products.
Aftermath
EVO became one of the principal brands in DR's multi-marque portfolio.
2007
Adopted a Chery-based Italian-market strategyStrategyBackground
DR needed a way to offer passenger vehicles in Italy without relying exclusively on independently developed platforms. Chery already had suitable products that could be adapted and distributed through DR's network.
Action taken
The company entered a partnership with Chery, assembled some vehicles at Macchia d'Isernia and sold Chery-derived products under DR names.
Aftermath
The partnership established the sourcing and rebadging model that became central to DR's subsequent expansion.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/dr-automobiles-groupe · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled