Newspaper reports this week suggest that Italian design and engineering firm Bertone is discussing building a BMW-powered sportscar for the United States market as the historic Italian 'carrozzeria' seeks new business in its battle to keep itself in operation.

The claim comes from the respect source Automotive News Europe which reports that Lilli Bertone has told workers in Turin that this project, along with an Iveco-based camper van conversion, scheduled for a production run of 300-400 units, possibilities. These two proposed new projects would safeguard around 300 jobs, said ANE, which added that the BMW Group had denied it had any involvement in the project.

Since Bertone's last major automotive design and assembly contract, the GM Astra convertible, ran out two years ago the only source of work for the 'Carrozzeria Bertone' division, which operates from a 310,000m2 facility in Grugliasco (Turin), has been a special 2,000 unit version of the Mini Cooper (called John Cooper Works GP) which was completed last summer. Lengthy talks with Fiat Group Automobiles to build a folding hardtop 'coupé-cabriolet' vehicle based on the Fiat Grande Punto floorpan finally evaporated in March. Bertone - which is celebrating the occasion of its 95th anniversary this year - had hoped that its Suagnà niche concept car, first shown in Geneva last year, would wind up in limited production badged as a Lancia.
 

ANE also reported this week that Bertone Chairman and CEO Lilli has re-appointed her daughter Barbara as Managing Director. 38-year-old Barbara and her husband Michele Blandino, the then General Manager, quit the family business just over a year after disagreeing on the best future direction, although she returned six months later to reassume her position in charge of financial operations. Now she is promoted to MD, strengthening the family's control over the business which today employs more than 1,300 staff and which was built up by Lilli's late husband Nuccio in the post-war years into a worldwide recognised brand name.

The only new product to come out of the Bertone factory this year came when it presented an innovative two-seat 'Barchetta' concept car based on the Fiat Panda floorpan at the recent 77th Geneva Motor Show. The project, which featured swages of bare aluminium and clear door panels, was built to remember the tiny Fiat 500-based Barchetta that Nuccio created in 1947 for his own personal racing use. The new concept, dubbed the 'Barchetta' has been carefully packaged and is teeming with interesting detailing; showing that the 95-year-old concern's design division is still able to develop well thought out designs and novel new ideas.