It’s thought that Pininfarina, 51, was hit by a car in the city of Trofarello, Italy, while riding his scooter to the company’s R&D centre in Cambiano. He is survived by wife Cristiana and two sons and a daughter.

Carozzeria Pininfarina was founded in 1930 by Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, who died in 1966. His son Sergio Pininfarina (the family surname was changed from Farina to Pininfarina in 1961 by decree of the Italian president) took over, and was succeeded as CEO by son Andrea in 2001.

Andrea Pininfarina’s death comes as the family-controlled company is undergoing an important restructuring, after losses of 114 million Euros last year.