Those automakers that are serving the ultra-rich are even starting to feel the effects of the global economic downturn. As recently as October at the Paris Motor Show, Ferrari president and CEO Luca di Montezemolo strongly denied his company was feeling any ill effects from the sales downturn being experienced by larger mainstream automakers and boldly predicted annual sales of 10,000 cars by 2010.
There were rumors swirling around Ferrari though from the British pub Autocar. Apparently, the folks in Maranello were reading with great interest as well so we get the lowdown on what is really happening at Ferrari.
According to the source, despite the global economic downturn, the automaker is eager to clarify statements in Autocar’s report.
Ferrari says ‘we have never stated that we are cutting 300 jobs.’ Of course, there’s a difference between not stating it publicly and considering it internally. According to Autocar’s sources, some 300 Ferrari employees, 10 percent of its workforce from their assembly lines, could be layed-off by as early as this week if a contractual analysis recommends it. But judging by Ferrari’s reaction to the report, that seems highly unlikely at this point. Ferrari did say it is ‘very focused on controlling all kind of costs.’
The automaker has decided to close down its factory for a 20 day holiday period beginning December 19th, a first in Ferrari’s history. Ferrari said the Christmas holiday was extended as a result of the ideal weekend situation the month of December offers, and not an effort to slow production due to slumping sales.
According to numbers from the Automotive News Data Center, Ferrari sales for 2008 are running slightly below 2007 levels, not bad considering the brutal state of the market. In November, Ferrari sold an estimated 120 cars here, 27 fewer than the same time last year. In the 11 months of 2008, the brand moved an estimated 1,482 cars in the U.S., about 120 off of 2007′s pace.
As stated by the source: “The world financial crisis has only touched us in terms of cleaning the waiting list. Sales in general–and F430 sales in particular–are going according to our plans. F430 Spiders sales, like all spider models, are slowing down for the winter season. We are not experiencing any stock problems.”
Insiders claim though that Ferrari is desperately trying to cover up its weakened sales results. Production of the range topping V12 powered 599 Fiorano and 612 Scaglietti models have reportedly moved to special customization programs to draw attention away from their stalled sales. And after the grand debut of the all-new Ferrari California at this year’s Paris Motor Show and the announcement of the Scuderia Spider 16M, sales of the F430 reportedly crashed as well as particularly a vehicle stockpile in the United Kingdom.
“Of course the economic problems are being considered,” Luca di Montezemolo said. “It depends how long this crisis goes on, if this is close to the end or not. Because we will see a different world out the other side.”
Source: printthis.clickability.com, themotorreport.com.au, egmcartech.com and ultimatecarpage.com
Photo by: alexmead
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