Tough roads ahead even for Ferrari?

[Ericthejet]

“Global sales at the Italian supercar maker have dived from almost 600 a month to just 92 cars in November and Ferrari is now negotiating with Italy’s trade unions to trim unwanted road-car production staff.” And it appears (ya think?) inventories are building-up. “Ferrari will also shut its Maranello production plant for an unprecedented 20 days over Christmas, which sources insist will be to prevent vehicle stockpiles reaching unmanageable levels.” Uh-oh? No! “Ferrari has denied that the company has been adversely affected by the credit crunch. The company said that the extended break was merely Ferrari being generous to its employees.” It gets worse…


“Insiders have confirmed that sales of the V12-powered Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and Ferrari 599 Fiorano have effectively stalled and Ferrari has moved both models into a special customisation program to mask the seriousness of the problem.”

That’s a scodella di non buono. It gets worserer. “Sales of its smaller, V8-powered Ferrari F430 – the core of the company’s volume and profit, and due to be replaced late in 2009 – plummeted after the official unveiling of Ferrari’s new California in October.”

What a difference 15 months makes… “As recently as the Paris motor show last October, Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo had been speaking of a sales target of 10,000 cars for 2010 which, even with the new Ferrari California on stream early next year, now seems wildly optimistic.”


How about a NESR group buy on a leftover 2008 F430?

[eboos]

It must have been the $4.35 per gallon gas that caused the rich people to look for more economical means of transportation.

[Karaya One]

Makes you wonder what effects will be felt by the F1 team.

[Ericthejet]

Makes you wonder what effects will be felt by the F1 team.

I hear ya on that one. News is they have been working on cost cutting measures for a few years. From now on, the hospitality suite will no longer serve Italy's finest spaghetti and great parmesan with a nice Merlot, instead replaced by Kraft Cheeze and Macaroni with a cherry Coke.

I think Honda's departure is proof enough that even rich race teams feel the burden of the economy etc.

[breakdirt916]

after the official unveiling of Ferrari’s new California in October.”

off topic: doesn't this look like a pontiac solstice or toyota MR2?

[JRide]

Sweet....group buy!

[DucDave]

Just watched this last night...

http://www.broadcaster.com/clip/32544

National Geographic Special on the Ferarri Factory....pretty cool!

[KillBill]

off topic: doesn't this look like a pontiac solstice or toyota MR2?

IMO
No.....not even close

[Ericthejet]

off topic: doesn't this look like a pontiac solstice or toyota MR2?

Perhaps on a foggy day, with corrective eye wear from 20 paces?
I'm sure the Italian styling goes deeper than exterior skin but they do look a bit close.

[jcbell1007]

I'll chip in $100 for the NESR Ferrari.

[Ericthejet]

We could use the new car as a mount for our cameras while out on the twisty bits.