Ferrari Sales Up In 2006

Ferrari Sales Up In 2006

Ferrari has used the opening of the 2007 Detroit Motor Show (8 January 2007) to announce that it delivered 5658 cars in 2006, a five per cent increase on 2005, a sales success matched in Australia and New Zealand, where Ferrari delivered more than 100 cars in a 12 month period for the first time.

Accordingly, revenues and trading profit are expected to slightly increase compared to 2005. In 2006, Fiat raised to 85% its interest in Ferrari S.p.A. Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi investment fund, maintained a 5% stake, while Piero Ferrari holds 10%.

The 599 GTB Fiorano is the most eagerly awaited model on the Ferrari stand at Detroit, following on the great success of the Panamerican 20,000, which ended up in New York on November 17th, after a grueling 84 day tour, 16 country trek from Brazil to the United States. This trek was a unique demonstration of the capability and reliability of the 599 GTB Fiorano on some of the most challenging roads in the Americas.

The 599 GTB Fiorano boasts absolutely blistering performance with its Enzo Ferrari-derived 5,999 cc V12 engine which punches out 455 kW at 7600 rpm. Boasting a power-weight ratio of under 6.1 lbs/hp, a stunning Pininfarina-designed body and an all-aluminum spaceframe developed in collaboration with Alcoa, the 599 GTB Fiorano offers a range of cutting-edge innovations which provide absolutely superior driving pleasure, handling and sportyness.

The 599 GTB roars from 0 to 100 kmh in an astonishing 3.7 seconds and from 0 to 200 kmh in just 11 seconds with a top speed in excess of 315 kmh.

Courtesy of the ongoing technology transfer from Formula 1 to Ferrari's road cars, the 599 GTB Fiorano is equipped with two features that have proved enormously popular with its Formula 1 drivers: the F1-SuperFast gearbox which offers gear shifting in 100 milliseconds, and F1-Trac which optimizes traction. Both features make their road car debut on this model. The 599 GTB Fiorano also boasts other features which that help ensure superior standards of usability, ergonomics and safety engineering: the SCM (magnetorheological fluid suspension system), developed in collaboration with Delphi, which provides improved bump absorption and body control, an enhanced manettino vehicle dynamics control switch, and a wind tunnel-honed body that delivers more downforce with increasing speed.

Confirming its international recognition, the 599 GTB Fiorano has garnered very important awards from two of the most respected British magazines like Evo ("2006 Evo Car of the Year") and Top Gear ("2006 Top Gear Supercar of the Year"). Moreover, Classicdriver.com, one of the most important European automotive/lifestyle web sites, awarded the 599 GTB Fiorano "Car of the Year 2006". In the United States, Edmunds.com voted the car "Editors Most Wanted Exotic".

The 612 Scaglietti on display is equipped with the optional "Handling GTC" pack, targeted at customers who desire a more dynamic handling. The package includes, among other things, a braking system with carbon-ceramic discs (CCM), ball-polished modular wheels and highly-advanced F1 gear change software and a sport exhaust system.

Like all of Ferrari's road cars, the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the 599 GTB Fiorano can be further enhanced with the Carrozzeria Scaglietti personalization program which for 2007 offers additional new options. The entire range of cars is compatible, for example, with iPod(r) connectivity via the radio-CD player. The 8-cylinder range is now also available with a two-tone Alcantara(r) and leather interior as well as ball-polished Challenge wheel rims. The entire Ferrari range can also be treated with an anti-stone chipping protective coating. The Carrozzeria Scaglietti Personalization Program is divided into four distinct areas: Racing and Track, Exteriors and Colors, Interiors and Materials, Equipment and Travel. The program was introduced in 1997 to allow owners to personalize their car to suit their own specific taste and requirements, making each one a genuinely unique vehicle. Since last year, all Ferraris built have included at least some personalization features. Clients may also make non-catalogue special requests which the company will endeavor to meet in the spirit of the work done by Sergio Scaglietti with Ferrari in its earliest days.

To preserve the unique heritage of the Prancing Horse's surviving classic cars, Ferrari created Ferrari Classiche, a new division providing historic car owners with maintenance, restoration, technical assistance and authenticity certification services.

Ferrari's Marque development is also progressing apace, thanks both to new licensing contracts (Panerai for luxury watches, Marcolin for eyewear, Microsoft and Sony for video games) and to the excellent performance of existing ones. The company's retail plan continues to globally expand with a significant series of openings in 2007: at the beginning of the year, a new Ferrari store will be inaugurated in Beijing, followed by the Los Angeles boutique, set to open at the Beverly Center.

Ferrari in North America

2006 was the 14th consecutive year of increasing sales for Ferrari North America ending with 1,635 units retailed. This represents a 5.5% increase versus 2005.

North America is the most important market for Ferrari, representing approximately 30% of the marque's worldwide sales.

The Ferrari dealer network is comprised of 36 dealers (32 in the United States, four in Canada) in North America. Ferrari is represented by one authorized dealer in metro Detroit; Cauley Ferrari in West Bloomfield.

Ferrari North America Inc., located in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, is headed by Maurizio Parlato, President and CEO, now in his fifth year at the helm of Ferrari's largest market worldwide. Ferrari North America is the sole importer and distributor of Ferrari sports cars in North America and is responsible for all organization and operating requirements for the Marque in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central and South America, including the technical training and spare parts service. Ferrari North America has a retail facility on the West Coast of the United States; Ferrari of San Francisco and a corporate showroom located at 410 Park Avenue in New York City.

"It is not only great products which have made North America Ferrari's most successful market. It is also the passion of our clients, the innovation in our marketing platform that we have implemented as an organization and the professionalism of our North American dealer network which has invested more than $80 million in facilities over the last five years" said Maurizio Parlato commenting on Ferrari North America's performance.

Ferrari in Central and South America

In order to strengthen and consolidate Ferrari's presence in Central and South America, Ferrari S.p.A. has given responsibility to Ferrari North America for countries in this region effective January 1st, 2006. Mexico and Brazil are the key emerging markets in this area. With a total of nine dealers in the region, Ferrari is represented at three outlets in Mexico including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterey. In Brazil, there is an authorized dealer in Sao Paolo. Additional dealerships can be found in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile.

In 2006 this region was responsible for approximately 115 sales, compared to approximately 100 in 2005. This consolidation is expected to strengthen the network and improve customer satisfaction in these important emerging markets.

Ferrari in the American Le Mans Series

Ferrari wishes to congratulate Risi Competizione for winning the 2006 American Le Mans Series Team Championship. The combined efforts of Ferrari North America dealers Giuseppi Risi of Ferrari of Houston, Remo Ferri of Remo Ferri Competizione, Giacomo Mattioli and Art Zafiropoulo of Ferrari of Silicon Valley led to this historic victory at Laguna Seca in last October. Facing stiff competition from Porsche during the season, the team captured seven poles, six fastest laps and won four races.

The F430 GT runs in the GT2 class and it is derived from the road-going berlinetta which has proved an excellent starting point for the "racing" project. It also secured for Ferrari the 2006 FIA Constructors Cup in the category thanks to the results obtained by the private teams that entered the F430 GT with noteworthy victories such as that in the Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours in Belgium.

The Ferrari Challenge

Ferrari wishes to congratulate 2006 champion Emmanuel Anassis for his third consecutive championship in the North American Ferrari Challenge Series. 2006 was one of the most successful year yet for the Ferrari Challenge with an average of 28 competitors filling the grid for each race.

2007 will mark the 14th consecutive year of the Ferrari Challenge in North America. This series has established itself as one of the most respected and professional Gentleman's Racing Series in the world of automobile competition.

In 2007, the F430 Challenge will replace the 360 Challenge with which it ran concurrently in 2006. The 8-cylinder berlinetta-derived F430 Challenge competition car retains the same general look and 479 hp engine as the road going version while incorporating a large number of significant track-oriented modifications and a host of new features not seen in the 360 Challenge car.

In 2007 the Ferrari Challenge racing series in North America will see six events scheduled throughout the year and a final event hosted in Italy in October to wrap up the season with two days of racing with participants from all over the world. The provisional North American calendar will kick-off with the first race at the Homestead Miami Speedway in March. Races will follow at Infineon Raceway in Northern California in April, in Montreal in support of the Formula One race in early June, and at Mt. Tremblant, Canada in late June. Two additional race venues will be announced soon.

For the 11th consecutive season, in 2007 the Shell Historic Challenge will see historic Ferrari and Maserati racing cars at some of the most prestigious American and Canadian racetracks. There are five events scheduled for 2007, four of them concurrent with Challenge races. The final schedule will be announced soon.

The Ferrari Driving Experience

For the first time ever, the Ferrari factory has authorized a driving school outside of Italy. Located at the scenic Mt. Tremblant race track in Quebec, students learn techniques to help control and enjoy their cars at the limit of their ability in an environment where safety is always the top priority. This course is modeled on the Ferrari S.p.A. driving course which focuses on proper driving skills and gives owners the opportunity to experience the full capability of their cars on a closed circuit. The school runs from May until September and is limited to owners of Ferrari cars. Reservations can be made through Ferrari North America or through an authorized Ferrari dealer. The dates and costs of the school can be found at www.experienceferrari.com. The North America Driving School offeres instruction corresponding to "Pilota Ferrari" courses which take place at the Fiorano track in Maranello, Italy. For over ten years Ferrari S.p.A. has organized a series of different driving courses offering a progressive series of steps leading up to a true racing course, which is only offered in Italy.

Certified Pre-Owned Program

To provide peace of mind and reassurance to owners of both new and pre-owned Ferrari sports cars, Power Service Contracts are exclusively available from authorized Ferrari dealers. Available in three different packages, the Power Service Contracts will cover selected components on vehicles up to ten years old. In 2005, the security of the Power Service Contract contributed to an almost 30% increase in sales of pre-owned Ferrari sports cars at authorized dealers. www.ferraripower.com

Ferrari North America Marketing Initiatives

Ferrari North America organizes a number of special events and rallies each year to give Ferrari owners the opportunity to share the passion of driving their special automobiles. More information on the Challenge Rallies including plans for next year can be found at www.ferrarirally.com

Ferrari North America takes special efforts to maintain close contact with its clients. Rosso Magazine and Rosso Online are complimentary publications reaching out to the extended Ferrari family with the latest information on new products, racing activities, customer profiles and partner activities. Additionally, Ferrari clients can avail themselves of a Concierge Service that allows them to reserve spots in rallies, book VIP passes for Ferrari Challenge weekends, enroll in the driving school, arrange factory tours and RSVP for special events.

ENDS

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