GP Manufacturer Bertone in Bankruptcy

Sections: In the Press Dec 4th, 2007 17 Comments

Bertone, maker and designer of countless Italian cars, super-cars and of course the MINI JCW GP, is officially bankrupt. Since the 2000 unit run of the GP it’s production lines have been entirely idle and losses have topped $55 million.

Previously the company had made the BMW C1 – an urban motorcycle that failed to sell in any great numbers. As a bit of a consolation BMW gave the company production of the GP in 2006 hoping that would bridge the gap until more work surfaced. However as luck would have it, the GP was the last car down Bertone’s production lines in any great numbers.

While this doesn’t impact any future plans for MINI, it is sad to see a company of Bertone’s historical importance fall on hard times.

You can read more below:

[ Bertone in bankruptcy ] Automotive News

[ MF Review: JCW GP ] MotoringFile

Written By: MF Staff

17 Comments

lavardera Dec 4th, 2007 Link

That’s a shame. I had a Fiat X19 when I was in college – one of their designs.

Vanwall Dec 4th, 2007 Link

That’s a bummer – Bertone had some very nice ideas over the years, with an elegant line to most cars they designed, and the whole Italian carrosseria industry was pretty much responsible for the ‘look’ of the modern car. Hopefully someone will pick them up and keep the name alive at least.

Blake Dec 4th, 2007 Link

…Since the 200 unit run of the GP…
Is this number correct?

RB Dec 4th, 2007 Link

ebb e flusso, ebb e flusso. They have made many a contribution to automotive design for sure. The Alfa BAT series were out there!

dave Dec 4th, 2007 Link

sad. but just ‘cuz they filed bankruptcy doesn’t mean they’re closing the doors right? isn’t bankruptcy more for financial protection?

Sergio X1/9 Dec 4th, 2007 Link

Only “Carrozzeria Bertone” (production) has problems; not other business (design, engineering and glass): official note at http://www.virtualcar.it/?p=6779 (in italian, sorry!). p.s. a Bertone X1/9 Sunshine was my car for ten years; now I have (also) a Mini Cooper :)

robble Dec 4th, 2007 Link

sad. but just â€˜cuz they filed bankruptcy doesnâ€™t mean theyâ€™re closing the doors right? isnâ€™t bankruptcy more for financial protection?

The doors have been closed since the last GP went through.

Dave Dec 4th, 2007 Link

sad. but just â€˜cuz they filed bankruptcy doesnâ€™t mean theyâ€™re closing the doors right? isnâ€™t bankruptcy more for financial protection?

The article says “Italy equivalent of Chapter 11″ which is reorganization and protection from creditors in the US. Taken literally, there could be hope. Chapter 7 is liquidation of assets.

greg Dec 4th, 2007 Link

The red mirror caps did them in.

Jon Dec 4th, 2007 Link

Sad for sure

Ken Dec 4th, 2007 Link

I visited the site a couple of years ago while they were working on the GP. The site is massive and covers acres of land. There is also a design studio nestled in the mountains about 30 km away.

Dan Dec 4th, 2007 Link

Does the GP have a Bertone badge on it anywhere? I always liked that emblem on my old Alfa GTV.

GSKChicago Dec 4th, 2007 Link

sad. but just â€˜cuz they filed bankruptcy doesnâ€™t mean theyâ€™re closing the doors right? isnâ€™t bankruptcy more for financial protection?

Not necessarily. Bankruptcy – corporate BK more specifically – can be used for many functions. Re-organization is definitely one of those functions. Sometimes that isn’t an option depending on a number of variables. Without knowing more it’s hard to say what the plan is.

msh441 Dec 4th, 2007 Link

Doesn’t pretty much EVERY Italian auto or motorcycle manufacture go into bancrupcy every 5-10 years or so? It seems to be more the norm vs. the exception… so no, it doesn’t mean they will close their doors. More likley they will get bailed out by the government or be bolsters by some other investors.

gmini Dec 4th, 2007 Link

If they had put their badge anywhere on the GP I would like to think they would be still alive.

Aussom Dec 4th, 2007 Link

… Which makes me wonder WHY the limited production runs on the MINI GP ? Why not make the GP an ongoing model in production based upon customer order demand? Ford gave up limited production runs on the Australian Ford Falcon GT series after the 1997 GT limited run. Now it’s almost impossible (if not prohibitively expensive) to source genuine replacement parts for the 1997 and earlier Ford GT models. Possibly a lesson (or opportunity) in this for MINI ?

Jimskater Dec 4th, 2007 Link

There are no official Bertone badges on the GP. I do, however, know of one GP owner who has mounted a badge from an older Fiat…

I was, however, tempted to enter my GP in the Concours Italiana back in August when I picked it up in Monterey.

Hey, it was assembled in Italy, wasn’t it?

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