Fiat plans to buy studio Bertone

Concern Fiat has expressed interest in acquisition of Italian of tuning studio Bertone to which protection against creditors has been given.

As informs Reuters, the company already has received some offers on sale of the actives from several influential investors.

Company Fiat has not specified what cars, in case of studio Bertone acquisition, is planned to make on studio Bertone areas. Now "Bertone" it is capable at work in two changes to make to 70 thousand cars a year, and at introduction of the third change — to 100 thousand. We will notice, that studio Bertone has stopped mass production of cars in December, 2005.

As specifies edition Automotive News, a deadline for giving of demands for studio Bertone acquisition — on July, 16th current year, thus the winner will be already chosen by the end of month. Company Bertone is based in 1912 and was engaged in creation of cars for many known motor-car manufacturers, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Volvo and BMW.

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Bertone considers Detroit office, limited production for BAT 11

Only months ago Bertone, one of the most famous design houses in Europe, looked like it was about to go under. The company had lost all its contracts, had a big operation to sustain, and went into bankruptcy protection. But like a phoenix from the ashes, Bertone is re-emerging, more streamlined and ready to get back to business. The manufacturing division, heavy with overhead, was stripped away from the styling studio, which is still owned by the Bertone family but operated independently. And its new business development director is keen to get the design house back on track.

Among the steps Bertone is considering is to open up additional field offices away from Italy to get in on the local action. The company is in the process of setting up shop in China, and has its eyes set on India and Detroit next. To mark its resurgence, Bertone is also considering putting the BAT 11 into limited production. The Alfa 8C-based concept car was shown near the Geneva show last March after conflicting reports of its cancellation, and is now headlining the Meadow Brook Concours d'Eleance. The vehicle was originally built as a one-off for our friend Gary Kaberle, but if Bertone can get enough orders in place beforehand, the company would consider a small run of 25-50 examples. In the meantime, it's going to focus on rebuilding its reputation and on the 20 design projects it currently has under way for automakers in Europe and China, as well as shipyards and aerospace companies.

Bertone Reveals First Rescue Plans

Bertone Group’s fate has been given a direction last January 23, 2008, when Lilli Bertone and Domenico Reviglio, owner of the Gruppo Prototipo and turnaround specialist, finally signed a contract that will put Stile Bertone S.p.A., Bertone S.p.A. and Carrozzeria Bertone S.p.A under Reviglio’s control. According to the statement Bertone has released yesterday, 35% of the shares will remain in Ms. Bertone’s hands, while the other 65% will be assigned to Reviglio.

“I am fully satisfied with this agreement,” said Lilli Bertone: “It represents a fundamental starting point on the basis of which our work to kick start all our activities, from styling to production, can begin. I have fought long and hard for this result, and I have had to steer my way round a veritable obstacle course in the form of people pursuing interests that have nothing to do with the company’s industrial mission, completely ignoring the interests of the workforce, stirring up controversy for instrumental purposes, and exploiting the incomprehensible willingness of certain newspapers to publish falsehoods”, said Bertone’s matriarch.

“Fought” is not a mere way she found to express herself. Barbara Bertone, Lilli’s daughter, was the general director of the company and has been suspended from her functions little before the companies were sold. According to Automotive News, Barbara and her sister, Marie Jeanne, claim their mother did not own all the shares she sold to Reviglio. They also intend to take legal action against the sale.

Among the recovery measures Reviglio intends to take is the production of electric vehicles, just like Pininfarina has announced. He expects the Bertone Group to generate € 39.1 million in revenue in 2008 and € 62.2 million in 2009, according to Automotive News.

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Press Release

This morning Lilli Bertone and Domenico Reviglio put their signatures to a contract to purchase shares in Stile Bertone S.p.A., Bertone S.p.A. and Carrozzeria Bertone S.p.A with the aim of injecting new industrial life into the Bertone Group. The agreement executes the terms of the purchase option presented by Dott. Reviglio and confirms that a new company will be set up in which 35% of the shares are assigned to Ms Lilli Bertone and 65% to Dott Domenico Reviglio.

“I am fully satisfied with this agreement,” said Lilli Bertone: “It represents a fundamental starting point on the basis of which our work to kick start all our activities, from styling to production, can begin. I have fought long and hard for this result, and I have had to steer my way round a veritable obstacle course in the form of people pursuing interests that have nothing to do with the company’s industrial mission, completely ignoring the interests of the workforce, stirring up controversy for instrumental purposes, and exploiting the incomprehensible willingness of certain newspapers to publish falsehoods. Now is the time to turn over a new leaf. The new Bertone begins today. For me this is a personal commitment and I intend to accompany this prestigious Italian brand towards its one hundredth anniversary, restoring it to its rightful place among the great brands of the world.”