It looks like Italdesign is up for sale.
Media reports have indicated that Volkswagen Group plans to offload its renowned Italian design and engineering subsidiary, as part of broader cost-cutting measures.
Employees were informed of the potential sale during a company-wide meeting this week at Italdesign’s headquarters in Moncalieri, near Turin. The move comes amid financial challenges for the Volkswagen Group, including declining operating margins and workforce reductions.
Volkswagen has not officially confirmed the sale.
Founded in 1968 by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani, Italdesign has been instrumental in designing iconic vehicles such as the original Volkswagen Golf, BMW M1, and DeLorean DMC-12.
Volkswagen began acquiring Italdesign in 2010 when it bought a 90.1% stake in it via its subsidiary Lamborghini. It completed full ownership in 2015.
Despite its profitability — reporting €145 million in revenue and €20 million in profits in 2023 — Italdesign’s future remains uncertain.
The company relies heavily on contracts within the Volkswagen Group, with only 15% of its turnover coming from external sources. It has a workforce of over 1,000.
No potential buyers have been disclosed yet. However, industry analysts suggest that Chinese firms or private equity investors could be interested in acquiring Italdesign.
The potential sale reflects broader trends in the global automotive industry, where other storied Italian design firms like Bertone and Pininfarina have undergone ownership changes in recent years.
