There’s a saying, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,” and that rings especially true for Christophe Piochon, who has been at the forefront of Bugatti’s story for the past 24 years. His journey began in late 2001 at Volkswagen’s prototype facility, where he helped assemble the first Veyron prototypes as Bugatti Project Quality Manager. At a time when the idea of a 1,000-horsepower Bugatti still seemed almost impossible, Piochon was helping with quality standards that would eventually define the brand’s next generation of hypercars.
Over the years, Piochon’s role grew alongside Bugatti. He spent more than 62,000 miles behind the wheel of a Bugatti, including 37,000 miles as a test driver, before becoming President of Bugatti Automobiles and Chief Operating Officer of Bugatti Rimac during the company’s formation in 2021. He also played a major role in Bugatti’s historic home in Molsheim. When he returned in 2013 as Managing Director for Production and Logistics and Site Director, around 70 people worked there. Today, that number is closer to 200, with new facilities supporting the production of the new Tourbillon.
He was there when the Veyron was still a collection of ambitious ideas and also helped assemble the final W16 engine at Volkswagen’s Salzgitter facility. More recently, he stood alongside the brand for the world premiere of the Bugatti Tourbillon in Molsheim in 2024, followed by its first test drives. Along the way came plenty of memorable moments, from the opening of the Molsheim Atelier in 2005 and the Veyron’s early public appearances to the Chiron reveal in Geneva and Bugatti’s anniversary celebrations.
For Piochon, the people and the place are ultimately just as important as the cars. His time at Bugatti brought him into contact with collectors, industry leaders, local organizations, and several generations of the team responsible for building Bugatti hypercars. He also became connected with the Molsheim community, supporting local institutions and charitable organizations while helping strengthen the relationship between Bugatti and its hometown.
On October 31, 2026, Christophe Piochon will close his chapter with Bugatti. After more than two decades, his departure happens as the W16 era comes to an end and the Tourbillon begins writing the next chapter. He joined Bugatti when the Veyron was still considered a dream and leaves as the company works toward another seemingly impossible idea. For someone who has spent 24 years helping make those ideas real, it’s the perfect send-off.
Source: Bugatti
