SEM DX3 By Pininfarina Downsizes Italian Style For China

Design houses like Pininfarina may be struggling to get enough work from European automakers to keep the lights on, they're keeping busy with work from China. Like this new DX3 that the famous carrozzeria has done for South East Motor.

Following the earlier launch of the larger SEM DX7 last year, the new DX3 launched just the other day at the Guangzhou Motor Show, following the concept that debuted two years ago at the same show.

According to Pininfarina, the compact crossover draws its stylistic inspiration from “the artistic conception of Chinese Calligraphy, creating a design of perfect balance between vigor, sport and power.”

Slotting size-wise in between the Mazda CX-3 and new CX-5 just unveiled at the LA Auto Show, the SEM DX3 is powered by a four-cylinder engine sourced from Mitsubishi.

Stylistically, it strikes us as the best collaboration between Italy and China since the days of Marco Polo. But it's not the only design Pininfarina has done for a Chinese automaker in recent years. It has also worked with the like of Chery, Changfeng, Brilliance, BAIC, and others. In fact it has been picking up so much work from the burgeoning Chinese automotive industry that it set up a dedicated studio in Shanghai in 2010.