Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano China Limited Edition

MARANELLO, Italy — Italian luxury-car maker Ferrari sold nearly 300 sports cars in China in 2010, a 50-percent increase over 2009 sales and a record since it entered the Chinese market six years ago.

That makes China, a Communist country where 40 percent of the population works in agriculture, according to the CIA’s World Factbook, one of the top five international markets for Ferrari, when the sales figures for Hong Kong and Taiwan are added.

China’s passion for the Prancing Horse will take center stage January 14 in Shanghai when Ferrari introduces its 999th client at a special celebration marking its banner year. The number nine is significant in China, as it is considered lucky and represents longevity.

Rather than luck, Ferrari credits the sales increase to several key investments it has made in recent years. It culminated in 2010 with the introduction of special initiatives and such crowd-pleasing events as the display of the HY-KERS laboratory vehicle at the Shanghai World Expo and the launch of the 599 GTO at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show, Ferrari’s first-ever world premiere in China. In 2006, Ferrari hosted a driving tour in China that racked up 15,000 miles on two Ferrari 612 Scagliettis.

To further demonstrate its commitment to this strategic market, the automaker announced that it will increase the number of dealerships in China from the current 10 in the next few months, as well as start the first Asian championship in the Ferrari Challenge single-make racing series in 2011.

Chinese artist Lu Hao presented a one-off Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano China Limited Edition. The bodywork was painted in special effect “Ge Kin”, a technique used on the antique porcelain from the Song Dynasty. This collectors item sold at an auction in Beijing for €1.2 million.

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 Source: insideline.com, rumors.automobilemag.com, drivingdutchman.net

Ferrari California

The Ferrari California was officially unveiled to the Asian market at the Shanghai International Motor Show.

The ceremony was attended by Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, Ferrari Asia Pacific Region manager Marco Mattiacci, driver Kimi Raikkonen and several other members of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.

Amedeo Felisa reminded those present of the importance to Ferrari of the APAC market which delivered record results in 2008 with over 1,000 cars sold. Ferrari is, in fact, market leader in its segment with a 46% market share. China, where Ferrari has been present since 2004 through its joint venture with China Poly Technology Co., is the Company’s second largest APAC market with 212 cars sold, double-figure annual growth and the 500-owner ceiling reached in 2008. The Chinese dealership network spans 10 cities.

The Company has focused particular attention on customer care in China resulting in the founding of the first Ferrari China Owner’s Club, a meeting and exchange platform for Ferrari clients, and the introduction of Pilota, the first Ferrari driving course to be staged in the country. A second driving course is already planned for Tokyo in Japan in the coming months. Other client services offered are: The Concierge Service, which allows clients communicate directly with Ferrari to enjoy a selection of exclusive services, and the Road Assistance Program, which provides fast, direct road-side assistance.

The first Ferrari Californias were delivered in Europe in the early weeks of 2009 while deliveries to countries outside of Europe will begin in June 2009.

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Source: carpages.co.uk