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.
I agree, its in Mr. Ratans best interests to secure Pinninfarina for styling purposes at least for sport models like the XK. Im glad, they'll do goodwork for my boys at Jaguar.
Is there something wrong with Jaguar's in-house design team then? I think the XK and XF have pretty much hit the target. Certainly I se enothing to suggest that Pininfarina could have done it any better.
Its not that Jaguars designs are ugly, they're very nice, i love the new Jaguar XK...godly car. However i think Pinninfarina is the type of firm that will take the designs to a little bit more of an extreme level while remaining faithful to all key aspects of the jaguar design heritage. Also i like Pinninfarina because while they're designs are quite sexy, they're fairly aerodynamically sound which will make all Jaguars better, especially at speed.
Finaly another good looking car I hope a powerful engine too not that 4lt crap
now i am a little scared because as much as i love Pininfarina i think things might go wrong plus the inhouse design team is pretty good.. idk... fingers crossed!
wat u guys seem yo forget is a company named TATA.. ;) it could be for them!
Good for them...I think Tata realizes that design direction is lacking without Callum's guiding hand. Jaguar used to make sexy, beautiful cars lets all hope those days are returning... The next XJ needs to be more powerful and display a sexy, sophisticated, 4 door sports car design to continue the leaper's rejuvenation.
Since when did jaguar had problems with designs. if it did, it was never as serious as those at pininfarina. i would be happier to hear jaguar apointing a japanese firm to re-engineer jaguar for technology and reliability purposes, but styling? stupid.
Not going to happen, a lot of ferrari's designs come from pininfarina i doubt they would let this company get into the hands of TATA.
Tata~Fiat JV.. heard of it? so, yea very possible.. there were also rumours of Tata taking a share into Ferrari! ;) this tie up a pretty good one.. both r making money out of it!!
Man i wish Jaguar would make this F-TYPE concept...its so damn nice and lightweight.
WOW!! the Tatas r everywhere now!! :D good going Mr.Ratan!! :)