Automotive Industry Bids Farewell to Paolo Pininfarina Chairman, Passes Away at 65

Apr 10, 2024 04:33 AM EDT

At 65, Paolo Pininfarina, the Chairman of Pininfarina, bid farewell in Turin. Surrounded by loved ones, including his wife, Ilaria, his mother, Giorgia Gianolio, and five children, his passing leaves a void in the automotive world. The company released an official statement mourning his loss and celebrating his profound contributions to the industry.

Passing of Scion,Automotive World

CarBuzz reports that Paolo Pininfarina played a pivotal role in the evolution of the company into a full-fledged automaker, assuming a position on the board of directors in 1988. Today, at the age of 65, the Chairman of the Pininfarina Group, Paolo Pininfarina, peacefully passed away in Turin.

While the cause of his death remains undisclosed, he was surrounded by his wife, Itaria, five children, and his mother. Pininfarina CEO Silvio Angori expressed profound sorrow on behalf of the board of directors, the board of statutory auditors, and all Pininfarina employees, acknowledging Pininfarina's exceptional contributions to the company and his unwavering advocacy for its history and corporate identity.

Angori also expressed personal gratitude to Pininfarina for entrusting him with leadership responsibilities after the passing of Andrea Pininfarina in 2008. Paulo Pininfarina, a mechanical engineering graduate from the Polytechnic University of Turin, initially pursued roles at Cadillac, Honda, and General Motors before joining Pininfarina in 1987.

Starting as CEO of Pininfarina Extra, he later became a board member in 1988. Following his brother's passing in 2008, he assumed the role of vice president of the Pininfarina group.

CarBuzz disclosed that two cars held special significance for Paulo Pininfarina. Firstly, the Pininfarina Sergio, a concept car based on the Ferrari 458, and secondly, the Automobili Pininfarina Battista, an all-electric hypercar. Thanks to a partnership with the Mahindra Group, Pininfarina fulfilled his grandfather's ambition of establishing an automaker subsidiary. It's anticipated that the next exclusive model from Automobili Pininfarina will bear Paulo's name, continuing the tradition of honoring influential family members.

His Legacy

According to TopGear, while Pininfarina is renowned for its automotive designs, including over 600 cars such as Ferraris, the company also excels in industrial design. Paolo Pininfarina's expertise extended to furniture, architecture, nautical, and aeronautical design, reflecting his diverse talents.

He was known for his calm demeanor, inherited from his father Sergio, which proved invaluable during the challenges following the 2008 financial crisis. Pininfarina S.p.A has recently expanded its portfolio to include Automobili Pininfarina, with TopGear.com having the privilege of meeting Paolo during a 2018 preview of the Battista electric hypercar, a tribute to his grandfather.

Paolo Pininfarina, a prominent figure in the renowned Italian family, hailed from a lineage deeply rooted in automotive excellence. The legacy began with his grandfather, Battista, who established Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930, a design powerhouse pivotal to the car's evolution.

Following the tragic loss of his older brother Andrea in 2008, Paolo assumed the role of Chairman, well-equipped for the responsibility. Before joining the family business in 1982, Paolo gained experience working at Cadillac, Honda, and GM.