Back in 2010, the Volkswagen Group swooped in and acquired 90.1 percent of Italdesign through Lamborghini (which they also own), eventually putting it under Audi's corporate umbrella. And now, like a particularly unimaginative villain in a children's story, the Germans are apparently preparing to sell the legendary Italian firm that's responsible for some of the most breathtaking automotive shapes ever to grace our roads. According to Automotive News Europe, union representatives for Italdesign have been told that the company is already undergoing due diligence in preparation for a sale. A meeting with company workers is scheduled for May 12 at Italdesign's headquarters in Italy, which I imagine will be about as cheerful as a funeral in the rain. Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera was first to break the news, suggesting that Audi isn't merely considering a sale but already has something cooking behind the scenes. There's no mention yet of potential buyers, but people in Turin - once the global epicenter of automotive design - are reportedly concerned about what happens next. And they should be, because the design landscape in Turin has changed more dramatically than my hairline over the past decade. The fall of the Italian design houses: Turin's terrible decline Turin was once to car design what Hollywood is to movies or what Silicon Valley is to overpriced coffee and tech bros with questionable social skills. It was the place where automotive beauty was defined, refined, and sometimes completely redefined. But in recent years, the Italian design industry has taken more punches than a heavyweight boxer with narcolepsy. Bertone, one of the giants of Italian car design, went bankrupt in 2014 before making a supposed comeback in 2022 with new owners. However, their promised supercar has been about as visible as my abs after Christmas dinner - theoretically possible but with no actual evidence of existence for nearly a year. Pininfarina, another legendary name in automotive styling, was sold to India-based Mahindra. At least Italdesign's previous sale to VW Group kept the firm rooted in Europe, maintaining some connection to its Italian heritage. But with China's automotive industry expanding faster than the universe after the Big Bang, it wouldn't be shocking to see Italdesign shift to Chinese ownership next. The potential sale is just one more sign that all is not well within the extended Volkswagen family. Despite an increase in EV sales (probably because they've finally made some that people actually want to buy), the conglomerate is in a financial bind so severe it nearly led to plant closures in Germany. As it stands, VW will reduce its workforce by over 35,000 people in the next five years, which is roughly the population of Monaco. And sadly, it looks like Italdesign could be part of those cuts. When asked for comment, Italdesign responded with the same enthusiasm and speed as a sloth on sleeping pills - which is to say, they didn't respond at all. What we're losing: the design house that shaped automotive history For those who might not fully appreciate the significance of Italdesign, let me offer a brief education. This isn't just some random styling studio with a fancy Italian name that charges astronomical consulting fees. This is automotive royalty. Founded by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1968, Italdesign has sculpted some of the most iconic vehicles in automotive history. The BMW M1? That was them. The original Lotus Esprit that made you want to be James Bond? Them again. The Lamborghini Gallardo, the DeLorean DMC-12, the Maserati MC12? All Italdesign creations. Giugiaro himself was named Car Designer of the Century in 1999, and his company's influence extends far beyond supercars and sports cars. Ever heard of the original Volkswagen Golf? That revolutionary design came from Italdesign's pens. The Fiat Panda? Same story. Even the humble Fiat Punto, which populated European roads like pigeons in a city park, was an Italdesign project. This is what makes the potential sale so tragic. This isn't just a corporate asset being shuffled from one owner to another; it's a piece of automotive cultural heritage potentially being sold off to the highest bidder. It's like selling the Sistine Chapel because maintaining all that ceiling art is getting a bit pricey. What's particularly galling is that Volkswagen Group, with all its talk of heritage and passion for automobiles, seems to be treating Italdesign as just another expendable cost center. This is the same company that spent millions restoring the Bugatti brand, yet apparently can't see the value in maintaining one of the most influential design houses in automotive history. The irony, of course, is that many of VW Group's most successful designs over the decades have either been directly created by Italdesign or heavily influenced by their work. It's like firing the architect who designed your beautiful house because you need to save money on gardening. So what comes next for Italdesign? It's hard to say. Perhaps another European automaker will swoop in to keep the legacy alive. Perhaps an American firm looking to inject some Italian flair into their lineup. Or, most likely, a Chinese company eager to buy the prestige and heritage that takes decades to build but can be acquired in an afternoon with a large enough bank transfer. Whatever happens, the automotive world will be watching closely. Because while companies come and go, and corporate owners change like the seasons, true design genius is a rare and precious thing. And Italdesign has it in spades. So here's hoping that whoever takes the reins next appreciates what they're buying - not just a design studio with a prestigious name, but a piece of automotive history that has shaped the cars we drive and the industry we love. And on that bombshell, it's time to end. Let's see what becomes of Italdesign. My money's on a Chinese takeover, but I'd be delighted to be proven wrong.
