Q: What are the connections between Matra MS and Matra Automobile Engineering?

A: Matra Manufacturing & Services is the new name of the Matra Automobile company, re-named following ceasing automobile manufacture, in order to ensure continuity in its obligations to customers as regards after-sales, accessories and spare parts.

Research activity, spun off in 2003 under the name of Matra Automobile Engineering, which was a recognised area of expertise for Matra Automobile, was sold off in 2003 to the Italian company Pininfarina SpA. The Matra Manufacturing & Services and Matra Automobile Engineering companies are thus wholly separate both in shareholder structure and their business activity. The only connections between the two firms are via cooperation agreements, and friendly relations which persist as a consequence of their shared past.