His son, Marc Philipp, is continuing his father's legacy by starting his own car venture. He is set to launch his own brand, Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH, and his first supercar project at the Geneva Motor Show.
According to a statement by Marc Philipp, he plans to build his first supercar that combined with off-road capabilities in a limited small series run.
The teaser image he released shows a car that appears to be based on the new Porsche 911 with hints of the legendary 959 rally car.
Marc Philipp in Dubai with the last vehicles crafted by his father, Uwe.
The project has been two years in the making. Marc Philipp said he saw a new market opportunity in creating special vehicles in the ultra-high luxury segment, by breaking it down to the core of his father’s success in creating holistic masterpieces and taking that to the next level combined with a fresh approach, leaving the era of tuning behind, and ultimately achieving a USP position in the market.
He is backed by a worldwide network of clients, dealers, suppliers and business partners of his father. Partners include Alan Derosier (design), KW Automotive (suspensions), Michelin & BF Goodrich (tyres), Akrapovic (exhaust systems), Staud Studios (brand & marketing), DS Fasertechnik (carbon fibre), and VELA Performance (engineering).
The project is completely funded, and the first client orders have been taken. It will be presented for the first time at a private launch event for selected clients during the motor show.
Marc Philipp, 26, has studied economics at the European Business School near Frankfurt and has gained automotive expertise working for Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.
The junior Gemballa's company is not associated in any form with Gemballa GmbH, although it's also based in Leonberg, the town where his father's tuning company was set up in 1981. Gemballa GmbH was bought over by businessman Steffen Korbach since Uwe's death. Korbach, who later became Gemballa CEO, has revealed last year that he aims to produce the company's first supercar.
As to Uwe’s murder, three men in South Africa had been convicted in 2015 for his kidnapping and murder in 2010. His murder had also been linked to allegations of money laundering and associations with Czech mob boss Radovan Krejcir, who is now serving time in a Johannesburg prison over a separate kidnapping and torture conviction.
