New Pininfarina Unit Adds Tech Leaders, Confirms Munich HQ

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s new Automobili Pininfarina unit confirms it will be based in Munich and has hired a pair of veteran engineering executives.

Launched earlier this year, the brand aims to introduce a family of high-end electric vehicles under the Pininfarina name. The first model, the PFO hypercar (pictured), is due in late 2020.

The carmaker has appointed Christian Jungas as chief technology officer. Jungas, who most recently was senior director of electrical engineering for EV startup Faraday Future, has worked for BMW and Porsche. At Porsche, he was the director of e-mobility design and part of the team that developed the Mission E concept vehicle.

In addition, Peter Tutzer has joined Automobili Pininfarina as senior technical advisor for the PFO. Tutzer has 35 years of experience at Bugatti, Pagani, Porsche and, most recently, as CTO of Hong Kong startup Thunder Power EV. At Bugatti, he was an engineering manager for the Veyron supercar.

Automobili Pininfarina also confirms that Croatian engineering firm Rimac Automobil will provide software, hardware and battery and drivetrain support for the PFO. Pininfarina SpA, which was acquired by Mahindra in 2015, will build the high-output EV. Production will be limited to 150 units, with pricing expected to start at about $2 million.