Ferrari  has set the price of the 458  Spider at $257,000, with U.S. sales to start in January. In Europe, the  sports car will cost 226,800 euros, or $309,000 at current exchange rate. Sales begin in October.

When compared with the 458 Italia coupe, the Spider costs about 15 percent  more. It’s a price premium that Ferrari has been charging for the last decade  for the open-air versions of models such as the 430 and 360.

Ferrari customers in Europe also usually spend the equivalent of 15 percent  to 20 percent on top of the car’s list price to purchase personalization items  from the company’s Carrozzeria Scaglietti program. These items include carbon  fiber seats ($7,800) and a rearview camera ($3,600).

The 458 Spider replaces the 430 Spider and features an aluminum retractable  hardtop instead of the canvas top offered on its predecessor. Webasto AG  supplies the 458 Spider’s roof system. The German supplier also sources the roof  system on the Ferrari California four-seat convertible.

Ferrari says its patented, fully retractable hardtop is a world first for  rear-engine sports cars. The all-aluminum hardtop solution adopted for the 458  Spider offers a number of advantages over the traditional folding canvas top,  including a 55-pound weight reduction and a deployment time of 14 seconds.

Fully integrated into the styling of the car, the hardtop was engineered to  fit neatly ahead of the engine bay without compromising aerodynamics or the  performance of the car.

Ferrari says the small space needed to house the roof enabled the designers  to include a generous rear bench for luggage behind the seats.

The 458 Spider’s powertrain is the same as that on the 458 Italia coupe–a  normally aspirated 4.5-liter V8 delivering 570 hp coupled with a Getrag  seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The 458 Spider accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in less than 3.4 seconds. Its top  speed is 198 mph.

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Source: autoweek.com

China has become the second largest global market for Ferrari, which enjoyed strong growth in the first half.

Ferrari boosted global sales by nearly 12 percent, to a record 3,577 units between January and June, the company said, with sales revenue climbing nearly 20 percent to $1.5 billion.

Asia played a significant role in that year-on-year growth. Ferrari said deliveries to the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong totaled 378 units in the first six months, a surge of 116 percent from the same period last year.

The performance enabled China to supplant Germany as Ferrari’s second biggest market, trailing only the United States, which moved 939 units.

Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo attributed the carmaker’s buoyant sales worldwide to expanded presence in new markets and inspiring new products. He said the sales momentum would extend to the second half as the company recently began delivering its first four-seat, four-wheel-drive sport coupe, the Ferrari FF.

Edwin Fenech, president and chief executive officer of Ferrari China, said earlier that the company’s sales in China won’t be affected by the nation’s slower economic growth or Beijing’s new car restrictions.

According to Fenech, Ferrari will participate in 25 motor shows in China this year, more than double from last year. The carmaker also signed an agreement to set up a Ferrari Museum in the Italian Pavilion of Shanghai Expo — the largest investment made by Ferrari outside Italy.

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Source: insideline.com

 

This has resulted in record revenues of $1.55 billion, a staggering increase of 19.6 percent over the same period a year ago, while profits are now up 23.5 percent to 131 million.

Note that the record sales do not include numbers for the new FF, which is sold out until 2012. Deliveries of Ferrari’s first four-wheel-drive four-seater have only just begun but its numbers will be included in the automaker’s yearly figures.

Key markets included the U.S., which saw a 23 percent rise in sales compared with the same period a year ago, as well as China, which saw a whopping 116 percent rise. This makes China the second largest market for Ferraris after the U.S., having received 378 Ferrari’s versus 939, respectively. Germany was the third biggest market for Ferrari, with 337 of the Prancing Horses being sold there during the past six months.

“If the trend for the first six months continues at these levels in the second half of the year, 2011 could be remembered as one of the best in Ferrari’s history,” commented Ferrari’s Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo. “We also recently began deliveries of the new FF and we’re taking our first orders from India – the impact of both of these factors will only be seen in the second half of 2011.”

Another interesting tidbit revealed today is that every Ferrari sold during the period was personalized, leading the automaker to establish the new Tailor Made customization program, which launches in September.

The new program will enable clients to create an individual car using exclusive and unique materials, color and trim with the support of a dedicated team, just as they would custom order a suit.

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Ferrari Club members from all over the country have brought their cars down to Savannah this weekend to take part in challenge races or car shows. Founded in 1962, the club has about 5,000 members, making it the largest Ferrari club in the world, and it has 16 different regions and 35 chapters across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The group is dedicated to preservation of the cars, and many of the events such as this one are charity-based.

Watch the video here, including Taylor Edwards taking photographer Richard Burkhart for a ride around the Hutchinson Island race track as he talks about the 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Ellena.

Read more about the Ferraris in Saturday’s Savannah Morning News.

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Source: savannahnow.com

Enrico Galliera, spent the first 20 years of his career with Italian pasta maker Barilla Holding SpA. His only job change happened in April 2010, when he took charge as the commercial and marketing director at Ferrari SpA, the legendary Italian sports car manufacturer. He was in India to open Ferrari’s first dealership in the country, located opposite the Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Janpath, New Delhi. Fourth in the pecking order in the firm, Galliera spoke about the challenges he anticipates and Ferrari’s future plans. Edited excerpts:

Is it because of the growing presence of luxury car makers that you decided to enter India?

The decision to enter India was taken a few years ago. In 2008, we decided to take a tour of India in order to learn more about India…opportunities in India. At that time we took the decision to arrive in India in 2011. The only point we wanted to make sure…was to find the right partner because we were just not looking for someone who was investing money…, but we were looking for someone who can represent our brand and become the ambassador of our brand. In that perspective, we will not be aggressive. We would just want to ship, show and deliver our product to the Indian customers.

Will Ferraris cope with Indian roads?

Have you ever driven in New York, Rome or Eastern Rome? I think the life is chaotic on the roads everywhere in the world. It is true that in some countries there are some infrastructure that are more developed. But we believe that there is going to be some development even in India. This will allow the people to drive their car. Together with the development of the circuits like GP (Grand prix), which are going to be open in November or December. These are some of the environments where people can enjoy driving their cars—both racing or driving their cars. Our cars are sports cars, but those can be used everyday like a normal car. When it comes to Ferrari, it cannot be just about the speed. Even at 20km per hour you can have a great time.

Brand Ferrari excites everybody. With the growing number of rich people in india, how are you going to preserve the exclusivity of the brand in the country?

The exclusivity is given by the approach to the market. This means that we are not selling on discount, we are not pushing our cars into the market. We are just delivering the car, which is needed in the market and always being careful as we like to say… to deliver one less car than the demand in order to keep the demand high, in order to keep this exclusivity. In the US, which is our biggest market, we sell close to 2,000 cars per year and it is very exclusive because demand over there is very high. So, the same thing will happen in India. We will deliver the car according to the demand in the market. But we’ll follow our motto of keeping supply below demand.

What kind of demand do you expect from the Indian market?

This is a nice question. I would like to have the crystal ball to understand what is going to be the potential. We will discover it together with Mr (Ashish) Chordia (chairman of Shreyans Group, the official importer of Ferrari cars in India) in the coming months. Our target in the next three years is to at least arrive to a three digit number…so something around a hundred cars. But if the opportunity is there, we will follow it. It is (a) learning by doing process that we will have to put in place here.

Globally, your business took a serious hit during the economic crisis. How is the situation right now?

Well let us say that during the crisis, Ferrari probably was one of the companies less impacted as compared to others. That is simply because of our business model. We normally have, on average, 12 months wait list. So whenever there is a problem, we still have some room or space.

Ferrari is recovering well from the global crisis of 2008-09 and last year more than 100 Ferraris were delivered in South Africa. That was the record year for the company. We delivered more than 6,500 cars. This year, we plan to beat this record. So, everything is progressing very well.

The company is concerned about Japan and how long it will take for such an important market to recover. However, things have worsened after the recent tsunami there. Unrest in several Middle-Eastern countries are a concern for the company. Far East countries are expected to become the second most important market after the US in the coming future.

How are the other developing markets?

All the countries are profitable. We try to deliver in a market when we believe there is a dimension that is able to bear the cost. Otherwise, we prefer to stay out. Now we are in 58 countries and we have a long list of countries that are willing to have a representation of Ferrari. But we are very careful of making sure that the investments pay off well.

South Africa has come up as an important market for Ferrari and is already among the top 15 out of the 59 countries. We are looking to expand into other African countries in future. At present, we have owners in countries like Mozambique, Angola and Nigeria who have their cars serviced out of South Africa.

China is a successful country for us. We went to China in 2004. The first three-four years were taken to better understand the country. Last year, we grew at 40%. We are selling around 300 cars there. Now we are at the incredible position in the country.

Indians are willing to pay a price, but only if they think the product is worth that much. Do you also get that impression?

I cannot exactly comment about the Indian market. I would say that throughout the world, the economic meltdown created a new environment where people who are willing to pay heavily for capital goods are looking more at the value of the product before making any investments. So, this is a general statement across the world. So, probably it is going to be the same in India. So, the key is going to be simple, that is to develop and deliver outstanding superior products. And that is what Ferrari tries to do. We think that there is a continuous improvement as each car is better than the best one and we are working continuously to make it better. That’s the key… difficult to be done, but a very simple key. If you are with a good product which can give the right emotion to the people who can drive, people will buy.

How is your strategy shaping up with Formula 1 coming to India?

F1 and general racing activities are our marketing platforms. So during any event, we try to organize around the F1 GP a list of activities where we try to involve our best customers in order to let them feel the passion of being part of Ferrari. We will do the same in India. We are working on the specific programme. Normally, we try to bring our customer close to the race, close to the box, close to our pilots to let them feel the emotion of a GP.

What is the next big thing to happen at Ferrari?

We are getting requests from dealers in countries such as Japan and the US for cars that produce fewer emissions and use less fuel. We are looking at all the various fuel saving and emission-less technologies in the world and will adopt them when they meet our specific requirements.

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Source: livemint.com

Ferrari has introduced a handful of models specific to the Chinese market in the past few years, and that attention appears to be paying off as the Asian nation is expected to become one of its most important markets. A recent report suggests the automaker now predicts an astonishing 66-percent uptick in sales in China this year alone.

It was reported China would become the most important market for Italian automaker Lamborghini, and now Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo has confirmed a similar sentiment. The Maranello, Italy-based automaker experienced an enormous growth in 2010, delivering 300 cars to Chinese customers – a 44-percent improvement over the previous year. Impressive, but Ferrari believes its deliveries may top 500 units this year, 66-percent better than last year’s record.

Despite the rapid growth, the United States remains Ferrari‘s largest customer accounting for nearly 1600 sales last year – 24 percent of the automaker’s total deliveries. Next in line was the United Kingdom with 467 cars. Total 2010 sales amounted to just shy of 6600, but the automaker believes it will close in on 7000 units this year. The next goal — 8000 units — will rely heavily on emerging markets including South America.

Further expanding its presence in emerging Asian nations, later this month Ferrari will open a showroom in New Delhi followed by another in Mumbai later in the year.

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Source: rumors.automobilemag.com

Ferrari’s Board of Directors met yesterday to analyze the Italian supercar maker’s results for the 2010 year, which proved to be an extremely good one as a number of key figures exceeding those achieved in 2008, Ferrari’s best year ever.

“After the great satisfaction due to the extraordinary results of 2010 we have to approach 2011, which presents itself full of challenges. Starting from the new models, at the Geneva Motor Show we will present the FF, the first car with four-wheel drive and exceptional performance, while regarding international expansion there will be the eagerly expected opening of the first dealership in India,” comment of Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo after the board of directors’ meeting.

Deliveries to the brand’s sales network were 6,573, a figure representing a 5.4 per cent increase over 2009, and Ferrari’s highest sales figure ever. As you may already suspect, the strong sales are in large due to growth seen on emerging markets, especially in Asia, where there was “exceptional growth,” said the car maker and the return of the United States market to pre-crisis. In China, nearly three hundred Ferrari cars were sold, an increase of 43.6 percent. In the Middle East Ferrari had 349 buyers.

In United States a record number of people-1576 in total-bought a prancing horse. North America accounts for 26% of sales. Within Europe 467 cars were sold in the U.K.

Ferrari confirmed it is set to move into the Indian market, with the first official dealership to open in New Delhi this spring and a second in Mumbai by the end of the year.

On the revenue front, the company earned €1.919 billion, 7.9 percent more than a year ago, while the year’s trading profit topped €302.7 million (+26.9 per cent). Not only were sales more numerous, but they were also more profitable, as the ROS (Return on Sales) reached 15.8 per cent, one of the best results in Ferrari’s history. According to the manufacturer, this is far “higher than the average for the automotive industry, and approaches that of the luxury goods sector.”

“As far as the motorsport season is concerned, which is about to start, Ferrari wants to be again among the main protagonists in an F1 Championship, which announces itself as highly contested. At the same time we have to continue the brand’s development. 2011 will be characterized by strong investments and lots of innovation, relying, as usual, on the exceptional people, who are our most important patrimony,” Montezemolo added.

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Source: autoevolution.com, france24.com and gtspirit.com

The Ferrari Store of Singapore celebrated September 23rd, 2010 its grand opening with a ceremony attended by Mr. Enrico Galliera, Ferrari Commercial & Marketing Director, Mr. Massimiliano Ferrari, Licensing and Retail Director, Mr. Edwin Fenech Ferrari APAC, Middle East and Africa CEO, and Mr. Teo Hock Seng, Managing Director of Ital Auto Pte who welcomed the guests together with the Scuderia Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

The 170 square meters space is situated on one level in the spectacular ‘triple towers’ of the Marina Bay Sands Resort. Visitors will discover a wide range of lifestyle and luxury Ferrari products, together with a selection of items dedicated to Ferrari enthusiasts, children and collectors. These include miniatures and models of cars from past and present, a display case showcasing a crankshaft, valves and a piston, and the Cavallino collection of leather accessories and sportswear.

The design of the Ferrari Store Singapore reflects the Ferrari Atelier ambience of the main Ferrari showroom in Leng Kee Road, with furnishings of the highest quality and the combination of soft leather and sleek brushed lacquer. The display concept clearly evokes the dynamic lines of Ferrari’s legendary cars and characterises the story, tradition and spirit of Ferrari not only through the products on display, but also through finishes and materials that typify the two souls of luxury and racing.

The Singapore Ferrari Store will be managed by ItalAuto, which is also the official importer for the Prancing Horse in Singapore. This is the 38th store to open worldwide and it joins prestige Ferrari retail locations around the world, including those in Milan, Rome and Venice (Italy), London (UK), Barcelona (Spain), Athens (Greece), New York (USA), and Dubai (UAE), to name a few. The Ferrari Store development programme includes plans to reach the objective of 60 locations worldwide over the next two years in Europe, America, and the Middle and Far East.

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Source: girlracer.co.uk

What Ferrari claims to be its largest store in the world with more than 1,000 square meters of single-story floor space entirely devoted to the Prancing Horse company, was officially inaugurated Thursday, June 3, 2010 in Dubai. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted by Ferrari drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Giancarlo Fisichella, together with Shafqat Malik, CFO Aldar Properties and Chairman of Fadar Retail, and Edwin Fenech, General Manager Ferrari Middle East & Africa. The Ferrari drivers also performed the now-traditional signing of the store counter. A Ferrari California showcased in the front windows, and right outside the new Ferrari Store, a selection of both new and classic cars was displayed.

Today there was a parade of Ferrari cars that started from Dubai, went to Abu Dhabi through Corniche and ended at the Yas Marina F1 circuit. The parade included nearly 100 historic Prancing Horse models and was opened by a number of new Ferrari Californias.

This event had been organized in collaboration with Al Tayer, the official Ferrari dealer in the UAE and the local Ferrari Owner’s Club.

Located in the prestigious Dubai Festival City Center, the new Ferrari Store was developed entirely by the Studio Iosa Ghini and is as much a homage to the history and spirit of Ferrari’s twin souls of racing and luxury as a straightforward retail outlet. Each area of the Store has thus been carefully designed as a special, once-off space in which shoppers can truly embrace the Ferrari experience.

The Dubai Store will stock a wide selection from the entire range of Prancing Horse products for enthusiasts and fans of the GT cars and Formula 1 tifosi alike. In addition to the display areas, there will also be a lounge, meeting rooms, video projection room and a Photo Gallery with a specially designed lighting system that can host photographic exhibitions. There will also be a fan interaction area, in which tifosi can test their skills on virtual versions of several different F1 circuits. A replica of the F1 car and a Ferrari California will also be showcased. Photographs of the new Store are available at www.ferrari.com.

Dubai is the 29th Ferrari Store and joins others in prestigious locations such as Rome and Milan (Italy), London (UK), Barcelona (Spain), San Francisco and Miami (USA), and Macao (China), as well, of course, as Abu Dhabi, where it opened in 2007. The Ferrari Store development program includes plans for the next two openings in Jeddah and Bahrain, and bringing the number of retail locations to 50 over the next two years in Europe, America, and the Middle and Far East. The official opening of the world’s largest Ferrari Store also marks the start of a rich calendar of events planned for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, closing the F1 season.

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Source: machinespider.com and pursuitist.com

Actor Patrick Dempsey with a Ferrari 458 Italia at the Haitian relief auction

 The first Ferrari 458 Italia to arrive in the United States was auctioned off for $530,000 for relief efforts in Haiti by the CMMB (Catholic Medical Mission Board) and the William J. Clinton Foundation. The sale took place on the expansive grounds of the Saperstein estate in Holmby Hills (an extra exclusive area of Beverly Hills in southern California, not too far from the Playboy Mansion) the evening last March 18th.

The auction was a star-studded event. Grammy Award winner John Mayer donated his time to perform, and such luminaries as Michael Bay, the director of Transformers, and actor Parick Dempsey were in attendance.

Other things to go under the hammer was Fernando Alonzo’s original racing suit (which raised $31,000) and two “experiences as a Scuderia Ferrari team member” at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal in June, which went for $20,000 and $21,000.

Classic car auction promoter David Gooding and motojournalist Dan Neil conducted the sale, and the crowd held its hands high, paying about $350,000 extra in the name of a huge tax write-off, and for the privilege of having the first Italia to be delivered in North America.

Company Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari and worldwide CEO Amedeo Felisa flew in from Italy for the occasion. Marco Mattiacci, the newly appointed North America CEO was there also. They addressed the eager crowd just days after Ferrari won the first F1 race of the 2010 season. All of the sale proceeds went to the foundation in the name of relief efforts; Ferrari took no money for the car. In total, Ferrari raised $601,000 for Haiti.

It was also announced that the Department of Orthopedics and Hand Surgery of the University of Modena will make its knowledge and resources available to help CMMB in Haiti. A team of hand and microsurgery specialists, whose studies have been financed by Ferrari, will help out in the earthquake wrecked Caribbean nation.

The 570-horsepower Ferrari 458 Italia will hit showrooms here in June with an estimated price tag of $225,000.

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Musician John Mayer performing at the auction

John Mayer at the Ferrari 458 Italia auction

Motojournalist Dan Neil at the auction

Source: blogs.motortrend.com, paultan.org, allworldcars.com and insideline.com