Pininfarina Plans Indian Research, Design and Engineering Center

Pininfarina has its roots firmly planted in European, and mostly Italian, design work but is not afraid to look outside the Euro-zone for opportunities. This was proven by three manufacturers at last weeks 2008 Auto China show in Beijing, Chery, JAC and Brilliance. Surely not all design we as sporty as the new Maserati Gran Turismo S, also by Pinifarina's hand, but they all serve their purpose.

Today Pininfarina has released a statement about plans to open a Research, Design and Engineering Center in Pune, India before the end of 2008. This plan is backed by Tata, who have signed a Letter of Intent to take a minority stake in the center and place contracts with the center.

“This agreement witnesses the great attention Pininfarina is dedicating to an emerging and highly developing market such as the Indian one” declares Andrea Pininfarina, Chairman and CEO of Pininfarina S.p.A.. The center will not just focus on the Indian market but will also cater for other international automotive manufacturers, what this may mean for Land Rover and Jaguar is not mentioned. Past projects between Pininfarina and Jaguar include the 2003 Jaguar X-Type Estate and the 1978 Jaguar XJ Spider, Pininfarina and Land Rover have never worked on a project together, yet.

Tata Chairman Ratan Tata has recently said that they plan to take the 2000 Jaguar F-Type concept into production. We can not but help to link these two releases together and get excited.