Pininfarina readies dealer network ahead of Battista launch

Automobili Pininfarina has begun firming up its dealer network in the run-up to the unveiling of its first model, the Battista electric hypercar, at the Geneva motor show in March. The model will first be shown to a select audience on March 4, 2019, before being revealed at the motor show the next day.

With an aim to partner with retailers who have a proven track record of dealing with high-performance and luxury car clients, Pininfarina is in discussion with dealers in North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

In North America, the brand has roped in retailers in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver. For European customers, it is establishing dealerships in Birmingham, Brussels, Düsseldorf, London, Monaco and Stuttgart, with eight more locations currently under discussion.

For the Asian market, retailers will be located in Hong Kong and Singapore, while for the Middle East, it will have a presence in Dubai and Riyadh. Its plans for the Chinese market are expected to be announced soon.

Automobili Pininfarina plans to rope in 25-40 retailers globally for its high-performance EV range, which, apart from the 1,900hp Battista, will also include a Urus-rivaling PF1.

“Our retail specialists share our passion for Pininfarina’s provenance and the potential of electrification in a luxury brand. Initially, for the Battista’s 150 clients we’ll have 20 to 25 global touchpoints. As the Pininfarina range grows we’ll add further retail specialists while still retaining exclusivity,” Michael Perschke, CEO, Automobili Pininfarina, said.

Expected to go on sale in 2020, the Battista will be limited to 150 units and Pininfarina has allocated 50 models each for North America, Europe and Middle East/Asia markets.

Such is the exclusivity and the extraordinary demand for the model that potential customers will have to apply on the company's website to own one. The Battista hypercar can achieve a 0-100kph sprint in ‘under 2sec’, the 0-300kph sprint should be achieved in less than 12sec, and it will have a range of around 450km.