Photo: Italdesign
Sooner or later, these Italian design monster figures will inevitably leave us one way or the other, but that time hasn't come for Giorgetto Giugiaro just yet.
While he may have given up on his remaining 9.9% share in his old Italdesign company only a few months ago, Giugiaro is ready to come back. He's probably taken advantage of the time off to recharge his batteries and is now ready to (re)start doing what he knows best.
As a reminder, the rest of 90.1% shares were sold to Volkswagen in 2010, with Giorgetto's son, Fabrizio, carrying over as chief designer until he was eventually replaced with a man appointed by the Germans. A few months back, the two Giugiaros resigned from their positions in the board of administration and left the company he founded in 1968 for good.
It couldn't have been an easy decision to make, but Ferdinand Piech's earlier departure (read "expugnation") must have played its part, as the two were known to be close friends. In fact, it was Piech who insisted Volkswagen should acquire Italdesign in the first place.
But even though Volkswagen is disputing the number one spot with Toyota regarding the total number of global sales, that doesn't mean there isn't work to be had with other, smaller carmakers. The market is more dynamic than ever and a designer with Giugiaro's credentials won't have to wait for too long before finding something to do.
There are several brands, particularly Chinese and South Korean, who are attempting to take over Europe (then, the world) and could use his expertise on this market. There are no specific names being cited, but we all know it local car industry is booming in China, so there shouldn't be any shortage of potential contracts.
The name of Giorgetto and Fabrizio Gigugiaro's new firm is still a mystery, but we will let you know as soon as anything comes up.
As a reminder, the rest of 90.1% shares were sold to Volkswagen in 2010, with Giorgetto's son, Fabrizio, carrying over as chief designer until he was eventually replaced with a man appointed by the Germans. A few months back, the two Giugiaros resigned from their positions in the board of administration and left the company he founded in 1968 for good.
It couldn't have been an easy decision to make, but Ferdinand Piech's earlier departure (read "expugnation") must have played its part, as the two were known to be close friends. In fact, it was Piech who insisted Volkswagen should acquire Italdesign in the first place.
But even though Volkswagen is disputing the number one spot with Toyota regarding the total number of global sales, that doesn't mean there isn't work to be had with other, smaller carmakers. The market is more dynamic than ever and a designer with Giugiaro's credentials won't have to wait for too long before finding something to do.
There are several brands, particularly Chinese and South Korean, who are attempting to take over Europe (then, the world) and could use his expertise on this market. There are no specific names being cited, but we all know it local car industry is booming in China, so there shouldn't be any shortage of potential contracts.
The name of Giorgetto and Fabrizio Gigugiaro's new firm is still a mystery, but we will let you know as soon as anything comes up.
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