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Misty Jain

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  • Published: Dec 11 2025 05:00 PM
  • Last Updated: Dec 11 2025 05:00 PM

Audi sells Italdesign stake to UST after 15 yrs. Lamborghini keeps share. VW Golf designer now mixes Italian flair w/ AI tech for future cars!



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Audi is letting go of most their share in Italdesign after owning it for 15 years. A company from California called UST is buying the big part now. They love AI and tech words a lot. Lamborghini still has a good piece of it too. Deal price is secret for now. This news is super new and checks out right from the big bosses. Wanna know why this matters for your next car? Keep reading its wild!​

Italdesign Who Are These Design Superstars

Italdesign is like the cool uncle of car design. They started way back in 1968 by a guy named Giorgetto Giugiaro who drew cars everyone loves. Think first VW Golf that millions drove or pretty Alfa Romeo 159 and even Audi Q2. They sit in Turin Italy with over 1300 people working there. Last year they made 332 million euros from making car parts testing new ideas and even small runs of special cars. Now imagine all those pretty sketches going to new owners it feels like passing down family drawings to strangers who might change them. But they say theyll keep the Italian magic alive.

Audi Italdesign sale

Why UST Why Now Whats The Plan

UST comes from sunny California and theyre all about AI smart computers and cars that think for themselves. Theyre taking most of Italdesign to mix old school Italian drawing with new tech like self driving stuff and custom cars just for you. UST has offices in 30 countries so Italdesign can sell ideas to more car makers around world. Their boss Antonio Casu says itll help grow big. UST guy Gilroy Mathew calls it a dream team for future rides. Picture hand drawn curves meeting robot brains exciting but will the cars still feel fun or too smart?

  • UST focus: AI embedded tech software cars

  • Goal: Help big car companies with new designs

  • Extra reach: USTs global spots

Audi Italdesign sale

What Stays Same What Changes For Italdesign

Lamborghini keeps a big chunk so VW family ties dont break completely. Audi says theyll stay close as customers and partners for years. UST runs the daily stuff now but promises to honor Italy roots. No one says the money part but with 388 million euros last year it must be lots. Teams will blend sketches with AI tests for things like safety tech and electric bits. Its like your artist friend getting a computer sidekick hopeful for cooler cars but fans wonder if soul stays. Deal needs okay from rules soon maybe early next year.

Audi Italdesign sale

Italdesign Famous Cars They Made

Italdesign didnt just draw they made cars that changed everything. Heres some stars:

Famous Car

What They Did

Fun Fact

VW Golf Mk1

Full design

First mass car millions bought ​

Alfa Romeo 159

Shape outside

Pretty Italian look everyone loved

Audi Q2

Whole concept

Small SUV with big style

Lamborghini cars

Special projects

Kept ties strong ​

Many prototypes

Test models

Helped VW group dream big

This table shows why losing Italdesign feels big they touched cars we drive daily.​

Future Of Italdesign With UST Sounds Cool

Now Italdesign will chase new stuff like cars that learn your drive habits or screens everywhere. UST brings money and tech to make more electric ideas and robot helpers. Audi boss Geoffrey Bouquot says UST fits perfect for growth. For car lovers it means faster wild designs maybe your next Audi has Italian heart with Cali brains. Exciting times but bittersweet after 15 years. Will we see crazier concepts soon? 

Audi Italdesign sale

Why This News Hits Car Lovers Hearts

After 15 years Audi passing Italdesign feels like grown up letting kid move out. UST promises fun future with AI mixing Italian flair. Lamborghini staying in keeps family feel. For everyday drivers it means better cars coming maybe smarter safer prettier ones. This deal shows even big brands change to stay fresh. What do you think will Italdesign draw next big hit?

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Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops

FAQ

Audi is selling most of its Italdesign stake after 15 years to focus on other things. UST from California buys the big share to mix design with AI tech.

UST a tech company from California that loves AI and smart cars took the majority stake. They want to grow Italdesign with new ideas.

Yes Lamborghini keeps a significant stake in Italdesign. This means VW Group ties stay strong even after Audis sale.

Italdesign made the first VW Golf Alfa Romeo 159 and Audi Q2. They drew shapes for millions of cars we see daily.

Italdesign has over 1300 workers in Turin Italy. Last year they earned 332 million euros from designs and prototypes.

UST will blend Italdesign art with AI self-driving tech and custom cars. They have offices in 30 countries to sell more worldwide.

Not yet the deal needs okay from rules. It should close soon maybe early next year with price still secret.

Yes Audi stays as a big customer and partner. Lamborghini too so Italdesign keeps helping VW Group cars.

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