Iconic Car Designer Paolo Pininfarina Passes Away at 65, Anand Mahindra Mourns Italian Auto Mogul

Paolo Pininfarina, the renowned chairman of the Pininfarina Group, passed away at the age of 65, leaving behind a significant legacy in the field of design and engineering. Paolo is the grandson of Battista Pininfarina, the founder of Pininfarina SpA. The company is renowned for its classic automotive designs during the prosperous periods of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Paolo obtained a mechanical engineering degree from the Polytechnic University of Turin, which served as the basis for his successful professional trajectory. While at Cadillac, Honda, and GM, Paolo gained valuable experience and demonstrated a love for the auto industry. 

Paolo's leadership led Pininfarina to develop and push boundaries, resulting in more than 600 cars, including some iconic Ferrari models. Paolo's influence extended beyond the automotive industry to include furniture, architecture, maritime, and aviation, showing off his versatility and long-lasting impact on design and innovation.

Anand Mahindra Mourns Loss Of Paolo Pininfarina

Anand Mahindra, the chairman of the Mahindra Group, took to social media to share a heartfelt tribute following the demise of Paolo Pininfarina. He wrote, "I mourn the untimely passing yesterday of Paolo Pininfarina, scion of one of the most illustrious families of Italy. This was a great personal loss for me.'

I mourn the untimely passing yesterday of Paolo Pininfarina, scion of one of the most illustrious families of Italy.

This was a great personal loss for me.

When we were bidding to acquire his flagship design company, we told Paolo that our goal was to turn his grandfather… pic.twitter.com/HrDuSwRxef

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 10, 2024

In 2016, Paolo Pininfarina orchestrated the acquisition of the company by the Mahindra Group for $185 million. Presently, Mahindra holds a controlling stake of 76.06% in the Pininfarina. A significant milestone for the brand came in 2019 with the launch of the fully electric Battista hypercar, heralding the commencement of the Italian marque's range of pure-electric luxury vehicles.

Despite its illustrious history, the Italian company had been grappling with financial losses for several years, partly attributed to a trend among carmakers to internalise design functions rather than relying on independent design firms. Mahindra, known for its strategy of acquiring undervalued companies, made notable moves in this direction. In 2010, it acquired the troubled South Korean automaker, Ssangyong Motor, followed by the acquisition of France-based Peugeot's struggling scooter business.