Formerly | Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale & C. |
---|---|
Company type | Private (1948–69) Subsidiary (1969–73) |
Industry | Automotive |
Founded | 1948 in Turin |
Founder | Alfredo Vignale |
Defunct | 1973 |
Fate | Company defunct; brand taken over by Ford in 1973 |
Headquarters | Italy |
Services | Automotive design, coachbuilding |
Owner | Ford (1973–present) |
Parent | De Tomaso (1969–73) |
Vignale is the luxury car sub-brand of Ford Motor Company used in automobiles sold in Europe.[1] The former company Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale was an Italian automobile coachbuilder established in 1948 at Via Cigliano, Turin,[2] by Alfredo Vignale (1913–69).[3] After its founder's death in 1969, Carrozzeria Vignale was acquired by De Tomaso (founded by Argentine businessman and race driver Alejandro de Tomaso). The studio ceased operation in 1973, but ownership of the name was taken over by Ford Motor Company (which had majority ownership of De Tomaso).[4]
Since then, Ford has continued to use the name sporadically to the present day. Up to present days, Ford of Europe released Vignale versions of models Mondeo,[5] Edge,[6] Fiesta, Focus, and Kuga, among others.[7]