Prototipo and SZ Design (Zagato) to cooperate

Prototipo, the fast growing Italian group that is now renowned world-wide for its product-testing know-how and facilities, has reportedly reached a co-operation agreement with SZ Design, directed by Andrea Zagato. The agreement has not yet been officially announced.

After a similar co-operation agreement was reached by Prototipo and MSX International, with a minor swap of shares, this new association is established to expand the range of services that Prototipo wants to offer their clients.

MSX International is a specialist in mass production engineering whereas Zagato’s SZ Design focuses on styling-design development services, from rendering to model making and running prototype. SZ Design also employ five designers and can provide design-styling services if required.

In Brazil, Prototipo is forming a joint-venture with Stola do Brazil to offer engineering and testing services to that market, the company is reported to be called S. P. Engineering.

ItalDesign accelerates it's globalization process

Commenting recently on the impact of the Fiat-General Motors alliance over the Italian suppliers of service and components, Italian press-officer Alberto Fumagalli said that the alliance has stimulated competition and accelerated the expansion and globalisation process of the company.

Mr. Fumagalli recalled Italdesign has successfully established themselves in California, where Ital Design of California is doing very well, and after the co-operation agreement with Spanish IDIADA are now about to open a major modelling operation in France.

ItalDesign France already has liaison and engineering offices in Paris and has recently signed a co-operation agreement with Magnetto. In June the company will open its model making shop, to be called Italdesign-Gallizio.

Mr. Arrigo Gallizio, a native of Garessio, the birthplace of Giorgetto Giugiaro and a long time personal friend of the maestro, left G-Studio last year to join forces with Italdesign in setting up a 4,000 square metre facility in BUC, in the vicinity of Paris and just few kilometres (5 to 8) from the Peugeot PSA and Renault design centres.

The new company plans to employ some 50 skilled modellers and technicians within a few months. Eventually Italdesign France and Italdesign-Gallizio will be merged in one operation providing both modelling and engineering services to the car industry.

In association with IDIADA, Italdesign has liaison offices in Ingolstadt and is now close to opening similar offices in Ruesselsheim as well.