08.06.2007 structural reorganisation at Abarth

The newly re-launched Abarth & C. S.p.A., with Chief Executive Officer Luca De Meo at the helm, has been reorganised into three activity areas: Business Operations, Engineering & Manufacturing Operations and Racing Operations.

Business Operations, under Antonino Labate, will be occupied in defining products and services for aesthetic (car kitting) and performance (car tuning) personalisation of production sports cars, organising the sales and service network, and managing Abarth brand merchandising and licensing activities. The production Grande Punto Abarth was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in March where the brand was officially re-launched. An even more powerful limited-edition version of the Grande Punto Abarth, dubbed the 'Brutale' is also set to arrive on the market. The full production version of the Grande Punto Abarth will be launched at the Frankfurt IAA in September when the order books will open.

Engineering & Manufacturing Operations, under Paolo Ollino, will be concerned with technical development, production and technical preparation and service activities for racing cars, guaranteeing the development of products for car kitting and tuning, and working in synergy and cooperation with the Engineering and Design Department of Fiat Group Automobiles.

Racing Operations, under Claudio Berro, will coordinate the participation of Abarth cars in national and international motor races, organise trophy races reserved for private customers, and manage relations with sports customers and sponsors.
 

Abarth can also count on the contribution of Paolo Martinelli, who was chief of the Engines Department of Ferrari’s Gestione Sportiva until October 2006, and who today heads up the Petrol Engine Development Department of Fiat Powertrain Technologies.

The newly re-launched Abarth & C. S.p.A., with Chief Executive Officer Luca De Meo at the helm, has been reorganised into three activity areas: Business Operations, Engineering & Manufacturing Operations and Racing Operations.


Currently Abarth is running a full branded factory effort in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), a new global rally series which is organised by satellite TV channel Eurosport. Factory pilot Andrea Navarra leads the drivers' series points standings after the first two rounds to be held this year while Abarth is well placed on top of the manufacturers' points classification. The Italian team is also present in the Italian Rally Championship (CIR) this year where reigning European and IRC champion Giandomenico Basso is looking to retain the drivers' title that Abarth won last year.

Abarth can also count on the contribution of Paolo Martinelli, who was chief of the Engines Department of Ferrari’s Gestione Sportiva until October 2006, and who today heads up the Petrol Engine Development Department of Fiat Powertrain Technologies. Press relations and the legal service on behalf of Abarth & C. are headed respectively by Giorgio Gianuzzi and Giorgio Fossati of Fiat Group Automobiles.
 

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Photos: Roland Ellison / © 2007 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed

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