Is Ferrari in danger?

[henry_wattel]

Hi Guys,

Let's just discuss one hot topic today : Ferrari auction at Maranello.

As far as you people know, Ferrari has organized in partnership with Sotheby's the biggest ever auction in Ferrari History. You can actually have a close look thanks to an impressive PDF. Catalogue available on this link : http://search.sothebys.com/images/home/flash/ferrari0605/index.html
This extraordinary auction (where a F2004 and a Maserati MC12 will be sold, as much as Enzo n°400) brings in the next question: is Ferrari in a good financial shape?

I have been reading an article explaining that Ferrari is not going well at all. The company indeed sold 32% of its shares (for a record amount, we all agree) in order, officially, to float Fiat. Actually, I think the mistake of buying-out Maserati almost ruined the prestigious Prancing Horse. In addition to that, the highly costly F1 costs much more money than expected. I also heard that selling Ferraris in China is not as good as planned.

Does any one of you guys know more about it?

I know Ferrari Merchandising is working like hell as much as current new models, but I think we don’t have to forget that nothing is eternal in this world and Ferrari needs to win again in F1 to remain that highly competitive Italian Jewelry !

Enjoy thrilling 2005 Season and FORZA FERRARI !

 

[katana87]

Well this is new to me but i was expecting it, hope they can pull out of this one, if it is true. They should probably try selling normal cars 💡 , just imagine everybody owning a Ferrari. Hmm it doesn't sound right. I think that Ferrari still has a chance at 3rd or 2nd in the season(if Alonso could just slow down a bit). GRAN TURISMO 4!

IA

 

[Appie]

Ferrari No Chance
they want to begin on the 2006 car

 

[Ev0]

If you ask me, Ferrari needs to make some changes at Maserati.

Ferrari always has been and always should be an ultra high end, exclusive brand. But, this greatly restricts their market, and in this day and age of rising car develpoment costs, this is not a good thing; it's great that they can even just break even and still afford to run an F1 team.

What they need to do in order to keep a good business is utilize the Maserati brand more effectively. If you ask me, they should make Maserati into a more mainstream performance brand, much like Porsche is. That way, they can sell a good volume of cars to create a steady stream of income, while the Ferrari image and mystique is still kept intact.

 

[daan]

Ferrari don't run Maserati anymore. Alfa Romeo look after Maserati now.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Well, the whole Fiat Auto group, which owns Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo is, and always has been, in financial strife. High labour costs plus restictive labour laws in Italy, coupled with a deserved dreadful reputation for build quality has led to the main operation - Fiat - haemmorhaging money like it's going out of fashion. The other brands are in reasonable shape.

The Maser 3200GT and Quattroporte are selling in line with expectation, and are well-regarded (although seen as eccentric choices) in their respective marketplaces. I think that the 3200GT is a credible choice in the XK8 market, and the Quattroporte (only the Italians could get away with naming a car "four door"!!) is a niche product and sold as such. I actually saw an ad for it saying "Not many people have one, which is precisely why those that do do".

Alfa too are enjoying some reasonable sales. I think that the 156 outsold everyone's expectations, although they did offer some strong fleet discounts. It's an entertaining drive, but I broke one within 4 minutes, and caused another to have a panic attack at 90mph. A third had wires hanging down into the footwells, so build quality is still generously described as iffy. The 147 is a nice looker, but I've not driven one. And I think they've got real value out of the Pininfarina-designed GT/Spider. Personally I don't like them, but a lot of people do.

Fiat have continued to do small cars well. While I pretty much hated the Puntos I've driven, owners love them. Panda continues to be a good car, especially the new one. But anything bigger than that is in trouble.

One thing struck me when I spent a week in Italy 18 months ago. Everyone in Italy uses scooters. To the point where there is only one worn track in all their roads, not like in other countries. It's remarkable.

I've heard a story about a long-range plan for Ferrari, but I'm sworn to secrecy. That said, if it's true, you don't need to worry.

 

[henry_wattel]

Hi,

Just wrote that text askin about Ferrari and I am quite pleased with the quickness and accurancy of your answers ! I definitely mean it !

Personally, I am decently sure the Ferrari empire won't collapse in one day, but the pharaonic expenses of F1 added with the real bad period Fiat is facing can make disasters. We sure all know that an accident is a sum of bad circumstances.

Quickly, a few words on teh quality of Italian cars. I have actually worked as an account manager for Alfa Romeo in 2004 and had some time to experiment myself the lack of quality of those cars. Personally, Alfa are not far of being the most beautiful cars existing, but in terms of quality, they don't even compete with German cars. I have had a 147, 166 and GT, each for several months. The 147 faced quickly Turbo problems and the GT had many electrical problems. The interior of all cars became quickly old and some electrical key functions (GPS, electrical windows, ..) became sometimes mad ! I think they really should hire German Quality Managers from Audi !

Maserati should, as someone correctly mentioned, become a more popular brand. They should try to sella Boxster type car, with (why not) a high revving Alfa based V6 engine ! Selling a SUV does not sound right to me (I hate such arrogant, overweighted and too high cars) but if it can help to float Maserati..

If you have nice stories on driving Italian cars, please share, its enjoyable !

Henry

PS : I start in July the rebirth of a 1970's Fiat 500 L !

 

[katana87]

Ferrari No Chance
they want to begin on the 2006 car

Ferrari still has a big chance onto making it in 3rd they're only 2 points away

IA

 

[kikie]

Ferrari don't run Maserati anymore. Alfa Romeo look after Maserati now.

I thought it was citroën?? Jeremy (topgear) said that the latest Maserati, which he tested, has Citroën parts.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Um that Maserati was 30 years old...