China’s Chery ready to build a factory in Italy

A big trick in Italy on a Chinese car. As expected by this newspaper, the number one of Chery, Yin Tongyue, stopped in our country where he met the Minister of Trade and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso. In the midst of direct communication, which would take place in Milan, there was a possibility that the giant from Wuhu, in Anhui province, would open a factory in Italy. There are three brands, specialized in the production of SUVs, that Chery targets in Europe: Omoda, Jaecoo and Exlantis. The first two with a mixed offer, between electric and hybrid, the third only with battery power. Top secret about the outcome of the conversation between Urso and the president of Chery, but it is conceivable that the minister focused his speech on the benefits that the government would put on the table instead of a productive mission in our country.

Along with Chery, and despite recent denials from Beijing, the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Italy continues to negotiate with the top management of Dongfeng, another group looking for stores in Europe, which, among other things, is still a shareholder in Stellantis. low level.

The official event of Chery’s European mission was the signing, in this case by executive vice president Zhang Guibing, of an agreement with the Spanish company Ebro-Ev Motors for the production of 50 thousand cars in 2027 and 150 thousand in 2029 in the past. Nissan plants in the free zone of Barcelona. The plan will employ around 1,250 people with a public and private investment of 400 million. Chery, however, would need a second plant on the Old Continent; hence the pressure from Palazzo Chigi and the added value of international excellence enjoyed by the Italian satellite industry.

Yin Tongyue, together with Urso, also met the top management of the new company “Diventa”, the result of a joint venture signed by two big names in car distribution in Italy: Autotorino, the first dealer in terms of size and sales, Plinio Vanini at the top, and Intergea, the first car dealership, led by Alberto Di Tanno. The agreement provides for the creation of a large Italian center for the import and distribution of Chinese hybrid and electric vehicles, including vans, from various groups. Chery is among them, but also seems to be Baic, Jac and others.

At the same time, in Potenza, the representatives of Fim, Uilm, Fismic and Uglm met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who reiterated the cry of the need to act quickly to relaunch the automotive industry in Italy and pay more attention to lobbying. , by far the most open and real specter of social disaster, especially for the Melfi station. On the request of a summit meeting between the government and the Executive Director of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, Meloni would seem to be waiting for the results of the discussion of Minister Urso with potential investors in the country.

Tavares, for his part, has repeatedly misjudged the entry into Italy of a second manufacturer, especially a Chinese one.