It didn’t take long for new Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne to reveal his plans for brand after former chairman Luca di Montezemolo announced his resignation.
Marchionne, who will officially take over as Ferrari chairman on October 13, said he plans to gradually increase production of vehicles like the LaFerrari hypercar to meet demand from ultra-wealthy customers.
“If that class increases, we should be able to follow them,” Marchionne was quoted as saying by Bloomberg at an event in Balocco, Italy. Otherwise, he added, “the waiting list will become too long, and people get tired.”
The plan is in stark contrast with former Ferrari boss’ strategy of capping annual production at 7,000 units to retain the brand’s exclusivity – a strategy that eventually brought his demise. Back in May, Marchionne said that Ferrari had the potential to sell about 10,000 vehicles a year, so this may become his objective for the sports car manufacturer.
With the change of executives, Ferrari’s status within Fiat Chrysler Automobiles may change as well. Montezemolo wanted to retain the brand’s autonomous status and not become a subsidiary like VW Group’s Lamborghini. So what does Marchionne think about that? “People should not underestimate the importance of Ferrari for the group. Structurally, in terms who we are as carmaker, they have and will continue to define us,” Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO said.
Ferrari expects deliveries to rise 5 percent this year, as the company works to shorten the time customers have to wait for their cars. Ferrari’s net income in the first six months of this year rose 9.8 percent to €128 million ($166 million). Fiat currently owns 90 percent of Ferrari, and Marchionne says there are no plans to sell shares in the Maranello-based company.
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