Ginetta moves into fast lane with acquisition

GINETTA, the Yorkshire sports car manufacturer, has acquired rival Farbio Sports Cars.

Lawrence Tomlinson, chairman of Ginetta who is also the entrepreneur behind Leeds-based LNT Group, helped drive the deal.

Established in 2005 by former racing driver Chris Marsh, Farbio offers a lightweight British supercar in the Farbio GTS and its enhanced performance models the GTS350 and GTS400.

The cars’ carbon fibre body, manufactured at specialist facilities at Farbio’s Bath factory, ensures they are lighter than an average Ford Fiesta.

Mr Tomlinson, who acquired Ginetta in 2005, joined stars of the small screen for the launch of the renamed Ginetta F400 at Silverstone this week.

Mr Tomlinson said: “I have been continually impressed by Farbio; Chris Marsh and his team have established a car which incorporates complex design with obvious beauty.

“The acquisition by Ginetta will mean that we can further develop on the existing carbon fibre component facility which is housed at Bath whilst using Ginetta’s considerable motorsport credentials and inherently strong brand identity to propel a road car to international acclaim.

“I am very confident that bringing Farbio under the Ginetta marque will be an incredibly positive move.”

Mr Marsh added: “The accomplishments that have been made by Ginetta have been fantastic. I have been following Lawrence’s achievements over the past years, having been at Le Mans for his first win in 2006 and am very much looking forward to working with him and his team to expand and develop the brand.

“Both companies will mutually benefit from their individual qualities and strengths resulting in a strong and enhanced global position in the sports car market”.

Mr Marsh will remain as managing director with the existing team set to expand significantly. The Farbio brand will be re-named Ginetta. 

Ginetta has been building road and race cars since 1958.