Stellantis’ Chinese partner set to build first European factory in Italy

A Voyah Free SUV was displayed at the 2023 Auto Shanghai Show on April 18, 2023. Credit: TechNode/Jill Shen

Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor’s plan to build its first European car plant in Italy is at an advanced stage, as the Rome government has been in discussions with the company over the potential purchase of a minority stake in the investment, sources have told Reuters. Some Italian parts makers are also likely to be involved in the potential deal, the report said on Tuesday. The news comes after Dongfeng’s Europe chief Qian Xie told Reuters in April that the group was still in early stage talks with local authorities to build a 100,000-unit plant in the third largest economy in the European Union. Stellantis’ Chinese partner has been selling its premium Voyah-branded electric vehicles in several regional markets including Italy, Denmark, and Norway since December, 2022. [Reuters]