Founded in Turin in 1930, Pininfarina is an Italian design company known for designing some of the world’s most iconic automobiles, and later expanded its scope to sectors such as architecture, nautical and product design, and mobility.

Through a long process of growth and transformation, Pininfarina has evolved from an artisan company to a listed international group, with a multidisciplinary approach that combines design, technology, and sustainability. In the automotive sector, the company focuses on user experience, exterior and interior design, show cars, and small series vehicles, while developing timeless projects that embrace aesthetics, identity, and social impact for the architecture and mobility industries.

The challenges of hyperpersonalization

Pininfarina’s strength is its high level of customization, but this also creates complexity, resulting in longer development times and higher costs. Managing multiple configurations, ensuring collaboration between departments, and maintaining data consistency have always been major challenges for the company.

While Pininfarina had already implemented a PLM system, it wasn’t fully utilized by all processes and users. This meant the integration between design and production could be further strengthened, as could the definition of configuration rules and the continuity of information flows, aspects that in some cases limited the full potential in terms of efficiency and time to market.

In recent years, the company had also begun collaborating with Dassault Systèmes to introduce CATIA solutions and the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud platform for managing the Engineering Bill of Materials (EBOM), without any integration with CAD, part lifecycle management, or connection to the ERP.

Pininfarina therefore wanted to extend the use of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to represent each of its customized vehicles by building a virtual twin throughout its lifecycle, from 3D design to manufacturing processes, and integrate the technology with ERP systems. By doing so, the company would create a single source of data, improve collaboration, and reduce complexity.

Capgemini was chosen to implement the project thanks to its recognized expertise in digital transformation, PLM integration, and its ability to translate a strategic vision into an operating model while leveraging 3DEXPERIENCE cloud solutions.

“Capgemini and Dassault Systèmes were able to understand our needs and guide us with a thoughtful and structured approach. Thanks to this collaboration, we filled process gaps that would have resulted in delays and corrective actions.”

Marco Busi, SVP Global Operations & Coachbuilding, Pininfarina

Greater agility, greater unity

Using Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform integrated with CAD and ERP systems, the project team developed a solution capable of managing vehicle customization through integrated digital processes and a Virtual Twin approach, setting it apart from traditional PLM implementations.

The project, which used sprints, performance indicators, and iterative validation within an agile methodology, led to the creation of a unified environment for engineering and manufacturing processes, ensuring traceability, reducing complexity, and facilitating collaboration between different departments.

“One of the most interesting aspects solved by this proven synergy concerns configuration management and modification traceability. Thanks to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Pininfarina centralizes requirements, simulations, and technical modifications, ensuring that every vehicle produced meets the approved specifications.”

Umberto Arcangeli, Managing Director of EUROMED and CEO of Dassault Systèmes Italia

Scalability and integration

Following the implementation of the new platform, Pininfarina now has a unified environment that allows for improved internal collaboration, reduced delivery times, and cost control, thus facilitating future growth and innovation.

By creating a scalable and integrated digital environment, Pininfarina can now manage increasing complexity and customization while maintaining efficiency and competitiveness.

“We are truly proud of the result achieved by working closely with our partner Dassault Systèmes, with whom we have collaborated for years to help our clients design increasingly sophisticated and innovative products. Thanks to the new Virtual Twin system we have developed, Pininfarina is able to combine design excellence with digital innovation, enabling scalability, efficiency, and integration throughout the product lifecycle.”

Roberto Del Boca, Managing Director, Capgemini Engineering in Italy