TURIN, Italy — Bertone, the troubled Italian coachbuilder, will be split into two companies — Stile Bertone, the design house, and the Bertone manufacturing operation. Meanwhile, prospective overseas bridegrooms continue to line up — some from as far away as India and China.
Among the suitors are Mahindra & Mahindra, the Indian utility-vehicle maker that recently lost a bid to acquire Jaguar and Land Rover, and FAW, the Chinese auto giant that is partnered with Toyota, Volkswagen and Mazda.
Earlier in the week, Pininfarina, another of Italy's storied carrozzeria, announced that India's Tata Group — the winning bidder for Jaguar and Land Rover — might take a stake in the coachbuilder.
The Bertone family continues to search for a way to salvage the business, which has been under intense financial pressure for years. Reuters reports that Lilly Bertone, the widow of Nuccio Bertone, will retain a minority stake, while the business is administered by the Italian courts.
In India, the Economic Times reported that Mahindra has "set its sights" on acquiring Stile Bertone, which has done some design work for the company. The newspaper said the potential acquisition of the Italian design and engineering firm would help forward Mahindra's plans to build a global R&D center.
What this means to you: We're seeing an accelerating trend toward Asian ownership of storied European auto companies. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Among the suitors are Mahindra & Mahindra, the Indian utility-vehicle maker that recently lost a bid to acquire Jaguar and Land Rover, and FAW, the Chinese auto giant that is partnered with Toyota, Volkswagen and Mazda.
Earlier in the week, Pininfarina, another of Italy's storied carrozzeria, announced that India's Tata Group — the winning bidder for Jaguar and Land Rover — might take a stake in the coachbuilder.
The Bertone family continues to search for a way to salvage the business, which has been under intense financial pressure for years. Reuters reports that Lilly Bertone, the widow of Nuccio Bertone, will retain a minority stake, while the business is administered by the Italian courts.
In India, the Economic Times reported that Mahindra has "set its sights" on acquiring Stile Bertone, which has done some design work for the company. The newspaper said the potential acquisition of the Italian design and engineering firm would help forward Mahindra's plans to build a global R&D center.
What this means to you: We're seeing an accelerating trend toward Asian ownership of storied European auto companies. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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