Jony Ive and Ferrari partnership may signal electric car development

Ex-Apple chief design officer Jony Ive is teaming up with Ferrari as part of a “long term, multi-year” collaboration, which some are suggesting could be an EV (electric vehicle).

Ive’s input into the car brand will be part of a wider alliance between LoveFrom – the design consultancy set up by Ive and long-time collaborator Marc Newson in 2019 – and Exor, Ferrari’s majority shareholder.

The Financial Times reports that Ive’s partnership with the sportscar brand is likely to include work on an EV project.

“An important, long term collaboration”

Ive and Newson’s involvement with an electric car has been linked with Ferrari’s commitment to producing an EV by 2025.

Ive and Newson themselves are calling the partnership “an important, long term collaboration”. A statement from the pair reads: “We see some uniquely exciting opportunities working together which we believe will yield important and valuable work.”

The statement also confirms LoveFrom will work closely with Ferrari’s in-house design team, led by Flavio Manzoni.

“Exploring a range of creative projects”

Further comment from Exor suggests that while Ferrari will be LoveFrom’s initial collaboration, the consultancy will also “explore a range of creative projects” from across Exor’s portfolio.

This means potential for design work across brands like Stellantis – the car manufacturer that owns Fiat Chrysler, Citroën and Maserati – and Juventus FC.

Exor and Ferrari were unable to provide further clarification on the partnership and the EV project at the time of publication.

A busy twelve months for Ive

The last twelve months has seen Ive embark on several high-profile projects, both solo and with LoveFrom.

Much of LoveFrom’s operations are unknown. In October 2020, it was announced that LoveFrom had entered into a long term consultancy deal with Airbnb to help develop “the future” of the company.

Earlier this year Ive launched the Terra Carta Design Lab with Prince Charles. Ive is chancellor of The Royal College of Art, which invited students to develop “credible, sustainable solutions” to the climate crisis as part of the initiative.

An Apple car?

Ive’s former employer Apple – where he was chief design officer – is understood to be working on an EV project. Dubbed “Project Titan” it has been shrouded in secrecy but is rumoured to have seen the involvement of 1000 car design experts.

However, this project has recently been dealt its own blow, with project lead Doug Field leaving to join Ford earlier this month.