Monday 17th March 2014

Bertone ceases trading

Mounting costs and legal wrangles could mean the end for Bertone

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The last PH Bertone news story was on the stunning Jet2+2 concept from Geneva last year, and the exciting possibility of a limited production run. Today the news is rather less auspicious with the design house reportedly having gone bust.

Jet 2+2 production even less likely now

Despite generating 20m euros revenue in 2013 thanks to Chinese projects, the cumulative effects of redundancies, lawsuits from suppliers and additional court cases have proved too much for Bertone.

To see such an iconic design house cease trading is of course sad news for enthusiasts everywhere. As well as the legendary Bertone designs (Miura, Stratos, Countach), there were some lesser known stunners as well: Iso Grifo, Fiat X1/9, Cizeta V16T and Alfa Montreal to name just a few. We'll overlook the Fiat Punto Cabriolet and Daewoo Espero in this time of reverential reflection.

According to GTSpirit though, a rescue plan could be in place for Bertone. A Turkish firm has apparently expressed interest in buying it for $2.7 million and other Italian companies could be involved too. So there could be light at the end of a very dark tunnel for Bertone, any news of which we'll be sure to update you on. For now, here are some pictures of its greatest styling work. Enjoy.

[Sources: Autocar, GT Spirit. Stratos pic: LAT]

[toppstuff]

Hard to understand how this happened.

The brand alone must be worth something. What a waste of a marvellous history.

I would buy it if I had the cash. There has to be plenty of potential to life its value.

[toppstuff]

Surprised that the company and its name is going so cheaply. Maybe it has liabilities or potential legal costs that any new owner will have to inherit.. who knows?

But for the relatively small amount being asked for it, you could buy the brand, hire a few designers, get some gigs with a few manufacturers on the back of your brand and heritage and get things going again. If the new owner is cynical enough, make some leather clothing and upmarket merchandise trading on the name and association with some of the most iconic cars ever made. Pretty soon the company would be worth a lot more than you paid for it?

Maybe a private equity suit is thinking the same thing...