Italy issues US$6.4 million fine over Chinese cars badged as Italian

Giorgia Meloni’s government has launched a campaign against companies that seek to portray foreign-produced cars as Made in Italy

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Published: 1:41am, 21 Jun 2024Updated: 4:34pm, 21 Jun 2024

Italy’s antitrust authority fined a local automobile company €6 million (US$6.4 million) after determining it had illegally labelled vehicles from Chinese manufacturers including Chery Automobile Co as Italian-made.

DR Automobiles has been promoting cars from Chery, BAIC Motor Corp and Anhui Jianghua Automobile Group, or JAC Motors, as Italian-made since at least December 2021, the agency said on its website.

The China-made cars have been marketed under the DR and EVO brands after “final touches” in Italy, it said.

The move extends a crackdown in recent months by the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over foreign-built vehicles that give the impression of being made in Italy. In May, financial police seized dozens of Fiat Topolinos produced in Morocco because they sported an Italian flag.

Parent company Stellantis NV was also forced to rename a new Alfa Romeo after Rome took issue with the group’s plan to call the Polish-made SUV the Milano.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Photo: Reuters

DR, which is based in Macchia d’Isernia north of Naples, said it would appeal the ruling. Its vehicles are only 60-70 per cent pre-assembled in China, a spokesman said by phone on Thursday, adding that the company makes important changes at its factory to meet European regulations, for example with fuel systems and collision standards.