Paolo Pininfarina Has Died

Paolo Pininfarina, chairman of the Pininfarina Group, has passed away aged 65.

Born in 1958, Paolo was the son of Sergio Pininfarina and grandson of Battista Farina, the man who founded the legendary design house in 1930.

Paolo Pininfarina had joined the firm in 1982 having studied mechanical engineering at Politecnico Torino, initially starting as a trainee stationed in the US with Cadillac and Honda.

His first major role would be as quality manager for the development of the Cadillac two-seat convertible between 1984 and 1989, before taking on a more senior program manager role within General Motors that would lead to the Chevy Lumina, Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Trans Sport.

In 1987, Pininfarina made a move away from automotive, becoming the first manager of Pininfarina Extra S.r.l which focused on designs of furniture, appliances and the maritime industry.

From 2008 onwards, Paolo Pininfarina would assume the role of chairman of the group, a position he would go on to hold until his death on 9 April 2024.

Silvio Angor, Pininfarina's CEO, said: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Board of Statutory Auditors, and all Pininfarina employees, I express deep sorrow and condolences for the loss of our dear Chairman.

“We are all extremely grateful to Eng. Pininfarina for his extraordinary contribution to the company and for always passionately advocating for our history and corporate identity both in terms of style and ethical and behavioural choices.

"I am personally grateful to him for confirming me in the leadership of the company following the passing of Andrea Pininfarina in 2008. Over these years, we have shared many triumphs and challenges, always advising and supporting each other. The best way to honour his memory is to continue, as he would want, to commit ourselves to the future of Pininfarina."