Any opportunity to post an image of the iconic Mk1 Golf GTI is one AUSmotive will grab with both hands. And news of Volkswagen purchasing a major stake in design house Italdesign Giugiaro has provided that chance.
Of course, Giugiaro penned the very first Golf back in the 1970s. The relationship with the Volkswagen Group continued with models such as the original Passat, Scirocco, Audi 80 and more recently the Volkswagen W12 also being designed by Giugiaro. It goes without saying the Italian styling house has also been responsible for numerous Alfa Romeos, Fiats, Lancias and many more.
After taking control of 90.1% of the Turin-based company Volkswagen Chairman Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn said, “A new era in the strategic partnership between our companies begins today. Italdesign becomes a permanent member of the global Volkswagen family. The company will therefore be making an important contribution to our 2018 global growth strategy.”
More after the break.