Mahindra & Mahindra’s acquisition of the iconic Italian design house Pininfarina could also facilitate M&M’s presence in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market – China.  Earlier today, the vice-premier of China, Ma Kai, who is on an official state visit to Italy, visited the Pininfarina headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, where he met CEO Silvio Pietro Angori and the design and engineering team.

The Chinese vice-premier said that the Chinese government is looking at forging partnership with Pininfarina, while reaffirming the country’s ambitious goal to become a leader in electric vehicle adoption. Kai said, "China is the largest sustainable mobility market in the world. We produce 50 percent of electric cars globally and in 2018 we aim to reach 700,000 units. The visit confirmed Pininfarina’s know-how and expertise in this field. Therefore, we hope for the near future a win-win partnership between the prestigious Italian brand and the Chinese government.”

Silvio Pietro Angori said: "Vice-premier Ma Kai’s visit to our company is particularly significant for us. It confirms the recognition of our brand in China as world excellence of Italian design and a reference in the field of sustainable mobility. We have been the first Italian company to supply, since 1996, style and engineering services to Chinese automobile manufacturers. We have contributed to the development of the national automobile industry. We are proud that the Chinese leadership recognize our 20 years of commitment in their country."

The delegation visiting Pininfarina was composed, among others, of the Chinese ambassador to Italy Li Ruiyu, the deputy minister of the National Commission for Development and Reforms Xiaotao Wang, the deputy minister of Industry and Informatics Guobin Xin, the deputy minister of commerce Bingnan Wand and the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Huilai Li.

During the delegation’s visit, the Chinese vice-premier appreciated the Pininfarina masterpieces on display in the company's museum and then visited the workshops where prototypes and small series are made. In particular, he was interested in deepening the experience of Pininfarina in the development of eco-sustainable cars, particularly for the Chinese market.

Ma Kai had the opportunity to appreciate some of the most recent electric cars developed by Pininfarina, such as the Nido EV, a prototype fully designed and built in Cambiano, and the BlueCar, an EV car presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 with the Bollore group, later adapted to the electric car sharing project launched in Paris and in other cities of the world including Singapore, Indianapolis and Turin itself.

Finally, an entire family of hybrid and full EV vehicles developed for the Hybrid Kinetic Group presented at the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2017 was shown to exemplify competencies and commitments of the Pininfarina Group in the field of New Energy Vehicles.

According to the official statement, Pininfarina was recently presented the ‘Silk Road’ Award for its commitment to the Asian country, at the 2017 China Awards organised by Italy China Foundation. The award was given ‘for the long and significant growth path in China’, which began in the 1990s and continued successfully until the opening of the Shanghai office and the results obtained in recent years.

Also read: Interview Silvio Pietro Angori, CEO, Pininfarina 

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