Leading news source Automotive News Europe has announced that ailing contract manufacturer Carrozzeria Bertone is currently in talks with the Chinese automaker Zhejiang Gonow Automobile for construction of SUVs and pickups. The news comes from DR Automobiles Groupe, the Italian importer for the Chinese carmaker, who confirmed to ANE that talks are underway. Bertone desperately needs manufacturing contracts. Ever since its agreement to build the Opel / Vauxhall Astra Cabrio ended in late 2005, its only manufacturing contract has been to build a 2,000 unit limited-edition run of the Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works GP, which was completed last summer.

After talks with Fiat Group Automobiles to build a folding-hardtop ‘coupé-cabriolet’ based on the Fiat Grande Punto floorpan finally evaporated in late March 2007, Bertone has failed to secure any major contracts and is relying on government support to pay its staff, which counts more than 1,300 employees. Bertone, which is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year, had hoped that its Suagnà niche concept car, first shown at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, would be produced as a limited-edition Lancia model.

The new Chinese deal, if it goes ahead, would secure Bertone with a contract to build up to 7,000 units annually from complete knockdown kits (CKD). The models in question include the Katay Victory, a five-door midsized SUV based on a previous-generation Isuzu Rodeo / Opel Frontera, and the Troy, a and dual-cab pickup version of the Victory. The vehicles would also be sold under the Katay brand. Despite this, the Chinese contract would only account for a small fraction of Bertone’s capacity. Their 310,000 m2 Grugliasco factory in Turin has capacity to make 70,000 units a year, and requires production of 30,000 units a year to break even. Over the past three years Bertone have lost a combined 37.3 million euros on total sales of 325 million euros.
 

Another report which emanated from Automotive News Europe earlier this year suggested that Bertone was involved in talks with carmaker BMW to produce a specialist sports car for the American market. A minor project to produce an Iveco-based camper conversion also added 300-400 vehicles to Bertone’s production volume forecast.

Earlier this year, Bertone Chairwoman and CEO Lilli Bertone reappointed her daughter Barbara as Managing Director. 38-year-old Barbara and her husband Michele Blandino, the then General Manager, quit the family business over a year ago after disagreements on future decisions. Barbara however returned six months later to resume her position in charge of financial operations.

The only fresh design to come out of Carrozzeria Bertone this year was the innovative Barchetta concept car, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The project served as an anniversary study, recalling the minute Fiat 500-based Barchetta which Nuccio Bertone built in 1947 for his own personal racing use. Nuccio Bertone was responsible for the Bertone brand’s growth to international acclaim. The new Barchetta concept, designed by David Wilke, illustrates the commitment and passion which Nuccio’s widow Lilli Bertone has for the family company, and that the Piemont coachbuilder still offers leading services in automotive design and production.

by James Granger