CRRC electric bus importer YES-EU plans production at former Maserati plant in Turin, Italy, from 2028

Swiss-headquartered YES-EU has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire the former Maserati factory in Grugliasco, near Turin, Italy, with plans to establish electric bus and minibus production alongside battery pack assembly, energy storage systems and battery lifecycle services, targeting the start of operations in 2028.

The agreement, signed on 12 November 2026 and reported by Italian news agency Adnkronos, concerns the former automotive manufacturing site at Corso Allamano 46, covering approximately 230,000 square metres. The industrial project envisages the adaptation of existing facilities during 2027, followed by the commissioning of the first production lines in 2028. Employment at the site could reach up to 150 people once operations are fully established.

YES-EU’s participation in Italian public procurement procedures is well documented: in the Consip framework agreement for 600 electric buses, published in September 2026, YES-EU Italy appeared among the ranked suppliers with CRRC vehicles. YES-EU Italy also participated in the ATM Milan tender for 110 electric buses, where it ranked third behind KMobility/Karsan and BYD Europe. The contract was awarded to KMobility/Karsan. In Bari, YES-EU was among the five bidders for the supply of 42 articulated electric buses for the city’s bus rapid transit system, a procedure also won by KMobility with Karsan vehicles.

Fabrizio Simoni heads YES-EU Italy and the group’s operations in Southern Europe, following a previous experience at Quantron.

YES-EU plans electric bus production and battery operations

According to Adnkronos, the Grugliasco facility is intended to accommodate several activities covering electric mobility and energy storage. These include the production of electric buses and minibuses for the Italian and wider European markets, battery pack operations, battery energy storage systems (BESS), technical assistance and recycling.

The industrial programme is being developed with the support of Italiano & Partners, which is assisting YES-EU with the acquisition process, the industrial plan and discussions with banks and public institutions.

In brief

• Where does YES-EU plan to manufacture electric buses in Italy?
  At the former Maserati factory in Grugliasco, near Turin, covering approximately 230,000 square metres.
• When is production expected to begin?
  Facility adaptation is planned for 2027, with the first production lines scheduled to start in 2028.
• Which electric bus manufacturers does YES-EU work with?
  YES-EU has distributed Yutong buses and markets CRRC-manufactured vehicles under its own brand.
• What battery activities are planned at the Italian factory?
  Battery packs, BESS, technical assistance and recycling are included in the announced industrial project.

The announcement does not specify which bus models will be manufactured at Grugliasco, whether vehicle production will involve complete manufacturing or assembly of imported components, or which stages of battery production will take place locally. The announced battery activities concern packs, storage systems, servicing and recycling; battery cell manufacturing has not been explicitly identified among the planned operations.

The timetable provided by Adnkronos identifies 2027 as the year for facility adaptation and 2028 as the planned start of the first lines. The projected workforce of up to 150 employees refers to operations at full capacity, without a disclosed employment schedule for the intervening years.

YES-EU’s existing bus business focusing on CRRC

YES-EU is already active in the European electric bus market as a vehicle importer, distributor and service provider, with operations particularly established in the Nordic countries. Its commercial activities have included the distribution of buses manufactured by Chinese manufacturers Yutong and CRRC, alongside charging infrastructure, vehicle maintenance and high-voltage battery services.

The group’s Finnish business continues to identify itself as an importer, seller and service provider for Yutong electric buses. YES-EU has also developed a range of vehicles marketed under its own brand and manufactured by CRRC Electric Vehicle in China.

The planned Italian facility also forms part of YES-EU’s announced activities in battery servicing and energy storage. On 2 October 2026, the group announced a strategic partnership with NING Service, CATL’s official aftermarket service brand, alongside the launch of a battery service centre in the Oslo area of Norway.

According to the company’s October press release, the YES-EU NING Service Center covers more than 10,000 square metres and is dedicated to battery lifecycle management, technician training and certified repairs. YES-EU states that its cooperation with CATL dates back to 2018, when it became the battery manufacturer’s first service partner in Europe.

The service network covers warranty and out-of-warranty interventions on high-voltage batteries, including diagnostics, component-level and module-level repairs, replacement parts and battery lifecycle support. Its activities extend beyond electric buses to electric trucks, passenger vehicles, marine applications and stationary energy storage systems.