Audi Group Buys Majority Stake in Italdesign via UST Partnership

[Source: Audi]

Audi Group to acquire majority stake in Italian design firm responsible for models such as the Audi Q2 and Volkswagen Golf. Audi Group is forming a strategic partnership with global tech and engineering firm UST, which will acquire a majority stake in Italdesign. Lamborghini, Italdesign’s current parent and part of the Audi Group, will keep a significant share. Through this structure, Audi remains a long-term strategic partner and key client of Italdesign.

UST’s majority acquisition of Italdesign creates a powerful partnership that merges UST’s strengths in AI, software-defined vehicle development, and digital ecosystems with Italdesign’s expertise in design, engineering, prototyping, and small-series production. Together, they can deliver end-to-end services—from concept and design to hardware, software, and production systems—aimed at accelerating the development of modern, digitally enabled vehicles. Italdesign is much more than just a design firm. For example, a few years ago Italian start-up Easyrain and Bosch Italia, worked with Italdesign to develop a new anti-aquaplaning system.

UST and Italdesign plan to scale their combined capabilities globally, using UST’s presence in 30+ countries to expand Italdesign’s international reach. As majority owner, UST will take on operational leadership while preserving and enhancing Italdesign’s Italian heritage, design culture, and workforce.

Audi will continue as a key long-term partner to Italdesign, maintaining the collaboration that has defined Italdesign for more than 50 years. Italdesign, part of the Volkswagen Group since 2010, will transition to UST’s majority ownership once regulatory approvals are completed. Financial terms and contract details have not been disclosed.

“For many years Italdesign has been a valued partner in our development network, contributing expertise from design to prototype and series development. We are confident our collaboration will continue to drive success and deliver strong results under the new ownership structure. UST is the ideal partner to strengthen Italdesign’s solid foundation while opening new market opportunities. Together, we aim to ensure that Italdesign remains an innovator in automotive design and engineering,” said Geoffrey Bouquot, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG.

Italdesign was founded in 1968 by Giorgetto Giugiaro, one of the world’s most influential car designers. The company became part of Volkswagen in 2010 and was fully acquired in 2015. The firm currently employs more than 1,300 people.