Mahindra Owned Pininfarina Ventures Into Electric Vehicles

Iconic car designer Pininfarina to now manufacture electric vehicles! The Mahindra owned design firm has launched its EV brand Automobili Pininfarina with the aim to manufacture luxury, high performance and high technology electric vehicles. The Italian design firm has been pioneering car design over the past 88 years has produced numerous iconic cars. The Mahindra Group acquired Pininfarina in 2015 via its IT company – Tech Mahindra. The story of Automobili Pininfarina is one of fulfilment. Batista Pininfarina, the famous Italian car designer had always dreamed of designing, engineering and manufacturing a car with the Pininfarina badge. Mahindra has been wanting a slice of the global EV market for quite a few years now. The creation of a start-up manufacturing EVs under the Pininfarina brand fulfils the dream for both parties.

   Automobili Pininfarina will be getting its first car to market by 2020. All cars which would be manufactured by Automobili Pininfarina will be designed and styled by Pininfarina, proudly sporting the Pininfarina badge. Croatian EV manufacturer Rimac has been roped in to deliver engines and powertrains for the Pininfarina cars. Rimac specializes in manufacturing electric high-performance cars. The Concept One, Rimac’s first car was the fastest production EV when launched. Rimac also works closely with Koenigsegg and Aston Martin-Red Bull racing team for developing electric battery and other powertrain components. The first car to be manufactured by Automobili Pininfarina would be a Bugatti Chiron rivalling hypercar. Though no official announcements have been made, reports suggest that the new car can reach 0-100 kmph in 2 seconds and 0-200 kmph in 12 seconds. There will be 3 other cars in the range including a Lamborghini Urus rival EV SUV. The cars sold by the new brand would be limited to a certain number of units – approx. 100 units. All cars sold by the brand will be equipped with autonomous driving technology. Pininfarina Automobili has revealed that their first car, slated to launch in 2020 would have a price tag of just under 2 million Euros (approx. INR 16 crores). Michael Perschke ex-Audi India head has been tasked with leading the new start-up. Mahindra can be rest assured of the new company being in good hands – Perschke was instrumental in making Audi overtake Mercedes & BMW in India.

   With the automobile world transitioning into alternative fuels and electric vehicles, Automobili Pininfarina adds a lot of excitement to the global EV industry. India’s largest SUV manufacturer has the vision and a proven track record to execute, hence in a very good position to make Automobili Pininfarina a very successful brand. With rivals the likes of Tesla, Nissan, BMW etc. Automobili Pininfarina is up against some stiff competition…the global EV market was always an exciting proposition, it just got more exciting!