Automobili Pininfarina CEO Michael Perschke calls it a day

Perschke, who helped create Automobili Pininfarina’s business model and strategy, is being replaced by Per Svantesson who has 36 years of international experience in senior automotive industry positions

By Autocar Pro News Desk

25 Mar 2020

15935 Views

Perschke has been replaced by Per Svantesson, currently COO at Automobili Pininfarina and a seasoned international business leader who has held top level management and board positions in a number of large, global, industrial corporations including Volvo, Valeo and ESAB.

Michael Perschke joined the Mahindra Group-owned Automobili Pininfarina on July 1 2018 and helped create the EV manufacturer's business model and strategy.

On March 4, 2019, Automobili Pininfarina revealed the GT Battista. L-R: Paolo Pininfarina, chairman, Pininfarina; Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group; Dr Pawan Goenka, MD, M&M; & Michael Perschke

Anand Mahindra, Nico Rosberg and Dr Pawan Goenka, Michael Perschke at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

Michael Perschke, CEO of Automobili Pininfarina, which is owned by India's Mahindra Group, has called it a day at the pure electric luxury car brand. Earlier today, Automobili Pininfarina Chairman and Mahindra & Mahindra Managing Director, Dr. Pawan Goenka, confirmed Perschke's departure. With immediate effect, Per Svantesson has been appointed to the role of Managing Director and CEO as an interim arrangement.

Dr. Pawan Goenka said: “Michael Perschke has decided to leave his position as Managing Director and CEO of Automobili Pininfarina GmbH. His last day with the company will be 25 March 2020. Michael joined the company on 01 July 2018 and before that he was associated with us as an Advisor since October 2017. Michael was instrumental in the creation of Automobili Pininfarina’s business model and strategy.

"He can look back on an impressive success story in developing a disruptive product and founding this organisation. We wish to place on record our appreciation for Michael Perschke for his passionate contribution and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.

"We are pleased to appoint Per Svantesson as the Managing Director and CEO for Automobili Pininfarina with immediate effect. Per has worked closely with our business since 2017 and calls upon 36 years of international experience in senior automotive industry positions. Per will now work under the guidance of the Board as we continue on our mission to make Automobili Pininfarina the most desirable and sustainable luxury electric carmaker in the world."

Per Svantesson, currently Chief Operating Officer at Automobili Pininfarina, is a seasoned international business leader who has held top level management and board positions in a number of large, global, industrial corporations including Volvo, Valeo and ESAB. He combines this experience with many years as a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist. Having worked with creating efficiency and profitability in global industrial organisations Per has in-depth expertise in the management of international M&A activities as well as the methods of lean manufacturing. Per is also a truly customer-driven sales executive with a sharp set of tools in business-to-business marketing and sales.

On March 3, 2020, Pininfarina Automobili unveiled the ultra-exclusive Battista Anniversario, which is the ultimate design expression of the most powerful road-legal Italian car ever made and a celebration of 90 years of the iconic Pininfarina design house,.

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