Dongfeng, the Chinese automotive giant, wants to produce in Italy and is ready to meet government representatives to discuss the possibility of opening a factory. “We are interested in producing in Italy and we are ready to meet the government,” said Qian Xie, Head of Europe of Dongfeng Automobile Group, in Milan, on the sidelines of a presentation event for Voyah, the new brand from Dongfeng, one of the top three automotive manufacturers in China. Voyah is launching its initiatives in Italy, in Milan, during the Design Week and Fuorisalone 2024.
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“The discussions with the Italian government are at the initial stage: they want to establish a relationship of trust and then deepen it,” Xie said. While Byd has closed an agreement with the Hungarian government to open a first factory in Europe and Chery is about to sign an agreement to take over the former Nissan factory in Barcelona, thus giving up on the road that could have brought it to Italy, comes Dongfeng’s view, which could assemble 100,000 cars a year in Italy.
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The Minister of Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso he reiterated that Italy needs more car manufacturers, not just Stellantis therefore, with an opening to the Chinese industry. Although Stellantis, a group owned by Exor which also controls Republiccon CEO Carlos Tavares underlines that the arrival of a Chinese manufacturer “represents more of a threat than an opportunity to increase production compared to the goal of 1 million cars to be produced”.
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In recent months between Urso’s ministry and the Chinese car manufacturer, which still owns 1.5% of Stellantis shares, there has been an exchange of documents on the plan, opportunities and policies that can be implemented , such as the topic of incentives. “So far the contacts are very positive,” Xie explained. Furthermore, Europe is seen by Dongfeng Automobile Group as “a very important market, but – underlines Xie – the approach is think global, act local”.
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On the advantages that Italy can offer, Xie explains: “Italy is very interesting for its long-standing automotive culture, as well as the availability of ports.” And on the employment impacts of a scenario that sees the presence of Dongfeng on production lines in Italy, the manager does not yet speak of estimates, “not yet being able to evaluate the impact in detail in terms of jobs created”.