In this exclusive interview for The Executive Magazine, Paolo Dellachà, CEO of Automobili Pininfarina, offers an inside look at his remarkable journey from engineering mastermind to leader of one of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands. Known for its unparalleled blend of luxury and detail, Automobili Pininfarina is redefining what it means to craft high-performance electric hypercars. We delve deep into Dellachà’s leadership philosophy, the challenges of navigating a rapidly evolving industry, and how his team is pushing the boundaries of design and innovation. From creating bespoke masterpieces for ultra-VIP clients to the inspiration behind the brand’s bold collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery and DC, we take an unparalleled look at the future of ultra-luxury mobility and what it takes to lead in a space where tradition and cutting-edge technology collide.
You’ve transitioned from leading the product and engineering team to becoming the CEO of Automobili Pininfarina. What have been the most significant challenges in this journey, and how have you adapted your leadership style to meet the demands of this role?
“Automobili Pininfarina has only existed as a car company since 2018 so we are still really a start-up. I would say the biggest challenge for us has been to survive the global pandemic and supply chain issues that occurred since we launched. But we have now been delivering the Battista hyper GT to thrilled clients around the world for over two years; we have launched the B95 Barchetta and start production next year; we have recruited 26 luxury retail partners globally to support the demand; and we have developed new facilities in Italy and Germany.
“My personal journey with the business, and my elevation to CEO in January 2023, is tied up in all that hard work. The most significant challenge for me in taking that role has been not only to see the bigger picture, but also to take the decisions required that will impact the whole company. We have approximately 120 people working for Automobili Pininfarina, and what happens to the business of course affects them. That is a responsibility I do not take lightly, and luckily I have a strong and experienced CxO team supporting me every day.”
Automobili Pininfarina is renowned for its PURA design philosophy, blending classic inspiration with cutting-edge technology. How do you balance staying true to this philosophy while driving innovation in an industry that’s increasingly focused on sustainability and electric mobility?
“We place our discerning clients in the centre of everything we do, and we recognise that sustainability and electrification are hugely important to them. We seamlessly incorporate these elements with our PURA design philosophy into our cars. The pure-electric powertrain of Battista and B95, along with the use of luxurious sustainable materials, are the perfect illustration of this approach. These cars also give us a very clear pathway to staying true to our core DNA, which will be integral to our future products we’re planning.”
You’ve overseen the development of the Battista, a car that represents the pinnacle of Italian engineering and performance. What lessons have you learned from bringing such a revolutionary hypercar to market, and how do you see the future of hypercars evolving, especially in the context of electrification?
“In the hypercar segment, you are dealing with discerning clients who consider buying cars like Battista and B95 not to replace something else, but to add to their collection. That means it’s essential that you have authenticity in your brand and products, and with our name and our two cars we have that credibility. We have learned that the ability to offer a comprehensive bespoke design programme to every client makes us different to other players in the hypercar segment, and with the debut of Battista Targamerica – a one-off client commission – in August this year, we have showcased our ability as a coach-builder, too.
“Our brand promise and mission statement is ‘Dream Cars, Made Real’ and for many of our clients, their dream car is a hypercar that’s stunningly beautiful, highly desirable, fast, fun to drive and will add value to their priceless collections. A fully electric powertrain will always deliver that. We have also learned that it’s very powerful to make our clients feel like they are part of our brand family.”
The collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery to create bespoke models inspired by Bruce Wayne is a unique venture. Can you talk about how this partnership came to life and how such collaborations shape the way Automobili Pininfarina is perceived by both automotive enthusiasts and pop culture audiences?
“In the first instance, Warner Bros. Discovery approached us. They were looking at how to commercialise the character of Bruce Wayne, had seen our Battista hyper GT, and felt it was the type of ultra-luxury, design-led hypercar that a billionaire visionary tech entrepreneur playboy would drive. The relationship developed from there. This collaboration works for us on two levels. Firstly, creating the B95 Gotham and giving it a world premiere at Monterey Car Week 2024 in August this year is the perfect example of how we bring our brand promise of ‘Dream Cars, Made Real’ to life for our clients.
“In this case, the client is a fictional one, but showcasing all the neat design touches – such as the Wayne Enterprises logos and a virtual assistant voice inspired by Alfred Pennyworth, the Wayne family butler – brings to life the bespoke programme that we offer to every real-world client in a unique and fun way. Secondly, this partnership provides us with a unique platform to reach a broader audience, inspiring a new generation of enthusiasts to appreciate Italian artistry and high-performance engineering.”
The Gotham and Dark Knight models of Battista and B95, inspired by Bruce Wayne, reflect both pop culture and ultra-luxury craftsmanship. How do you see these kinds of cross-industry partnerships influencing the future of luxury car brands? What can we expect from Automobili Pininfarina in terms of further collaborations?
“There are examples of collaborations between auto and non-auto brands dating back to the very earliest days of our industry; some have been successful and others have not. I think it comes back to authenticity and credibility; any partnership across different sectors has to deliver those, or clients and fans of the brands involved will see through it.
“If values are shared, and the concept and execution of the collaboration emphasise those values, it has the opportunity to elevate both brands. Having witnessed the level of interest on our show stand when we unveiled the B95 Gotham, it’s clear that this unique joint venture resonated with people. They loved that we have created the four cars you mention based around the idea of Bruce Wayne as a client, and that these cars are available to be purchased.”
Automobili Pininfarina offers an extraordinary level of customisation for its ultra-VIP clients, including one-off commissions. How do you manage the challenge of delivering exclusivity and personalisation at such a high level, and how does this bespoke approach impact the future direction of the company?
“Both we and our clients believe that Battista is simply the latest in a very long line of iconic designs to wear the Pininfarina badge. Many of those historic designs were one-offs, and so exclusivity, personalisation and coach-building are part of our story and our DNA. We do not see it as a challenge to manage the delivery of these elements to our clients because it’s what we’ve always done.
“Cambiano, our hometown in Italy, close to Turin, has long been a centre of excellence for design, engineering and quality, thanks to its dedicated team of highly skilled artisans. Battista is evidence of this, B95 will be too, and this absolute ‘attention to detail’ approach will continue into our future product portfolio.”
With only 150 units of the Battista being crafted, exclusivity is clearly part of Automobili Pininfarina’s DNA. In your opinion, how do you continue to cultivate a sense of rarity and luxury in a world where mass customisation and rapid production technologies are becoming more common?
“When we started the business in 2018, and when we subsequently launched Battista, B95 and our PURA Vision design concept, we have remained consistent with what we have told the world. It is a true reflection of our strategy, which has also remained the same. Our vision is to design cars and experiences for the world’s foremost tastemakers, reflected in our ’Dream Cars, Made Real’ brand promise.
“We maintain a clear focus on clients’ needs at the pinnacle of the luxury market, where our design excellence, extensive personalisation and coach-building capability are so important and valued. Without compromise, we design, engineer and deliver the genuine dream car that each client desires. Every car is unique, an automotive work of art.”
As a leader in a sector undergoing rapid transformation, from electrification to advanced materials, what do you see as the greatest opportunities for entrepreneurs and executives entering the automotive space today? What advice would you give to those aspiring to lead in this ever-evolving industry?
“There are many technologies and innovations within the automotive industry which are competing for attention, and it’s impossible to say which will be successful and which will not. Much of that is down to circumstances beyond the control of one person or one company. I believe it’s important to control what you can, and that includes the place from where you start. Make it a blank sheet of paper and do not follow the crowd.
“If you believe what you are doing is right, that belief – and the ability to bring other people on a journey with you – is the biggest asset to you and your team.”
