Pininfarina supports BMW Group in iX body-in-white development

Pininfarina Deutschland, the German subsidiary of the Pininfarina Group, acted as a development service provider in the areas of chassis, upper body structure, vehicle architecture, and packaging. Together, manufacturers and suppliers developed an innovative aluminum spaceframe for the BMW iX, which is intended to set new benchmarks in its class: As an innovative lightweight construction concept, a mixed construction of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), aluminum, and high-strength steels was developed for the body. This sophisticated combination of materials allows for an optimum balance of strength, weight, and cost. David Gagliardi, CEO of Pininfarina Deutschland, explains:

"Pininfarina is proud to have been selected by one of the most innovative automobile manufacturers in the world as a body-in-white development partner from concept to series production for this project."

From Germany, Pininfarina Deutschland steers and coordinates projects for German clients for the entire Pininfarina Group. With approximately 200 highly qualified employees at the Munich and Leonberg locations, the engineering portfolio of Pininfarina Deutschland covers the entire development process of vehicle development, from passenger cars to commercial vehicles, from prototypes to series production.

What does that mean?

That the iX became a relatively heavy vehicle is mainly due to the giant battery and the comfort features – making the efforts with Pininfarina to save every gram on the body all the more complex. The complex material mix also highlights the potential that the topic of body-in-white still has.