Ferrari will expand its lineup of road cars, but not too much

Aug 19, 2019Ferrari
By Revs Institute
Editor’s Note:  On Saturday Aug. 17, John Elkann, the Agnelli-family heir who chairs FiatChrysler Group and Ferrari, was interviewed onstage at the Inn on Spanish Bay as part of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance program.  The wide-ranging interview — sponsored by Revs Institute and conducted by Joseph B. White, global transportation editor of Reuters and Miles C. Collier, founder of Revs — covered many topics, including FiatChrysler’s recent aborted attempt to merge with Renault and the strategy for Ferrari, which is listed as a separate company. Elkann explained that while Fiat will expand production of Ferrari models suitable for daily driving, it will take a much more conservative approach than Porsche has done over the last decade to avoid the threat of commoditizing Ferrari cars.  Here, reprinted with express permission, is White’s story on the interview.  
  • Paul Ingrassia, Editor, Revs Institute

 

 

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Reuters) – Italian premium sports car maker Ferrari NV (RACE.MI) will expand sales of easier-driving grand touring cars, but will not try to chase rival Porsche’s annual sales volume, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann told an audience of classic car enthusiasts gathered at this storied golf resort on the Pacific coast.

Elkann also reiterated that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV(FCHA.MI), of which he is chairman, remains open to opportunities to combine with other automakers, but is positioned to remain independent. Fiat Chrysler in May proposed a merger with French automaker Renault SA, but the deal fell apart after the French government intervened and Elkann withdrew the proposed merger.

Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Mike Manley sent the same message to Renault and other would-be partners earlier this month.

Elkann visited Pebble Beach during the annual Concours d’Elegance, during which wealthy collectors bring some of the world’s rarest vintage automobiles to be admired — and sold — and premium manufacturers showcase exotic new models.

Ferrari is best known for flashy, high performance sports cars. Among fans of vintage Ferraris, more understated GT, or grand touring, cars from the 1960s, some with seating for four people, are among the most popular models on auction blocks and at enthusiast events. GT cars were designed to be comfortable on longer road trips.

Elkann hinted Ferrari will unveil a new GT type car in November. Ferrari has said previously that about 40% of its total sales could come from GT cars by 2022, up from 32% now.

Ferrari has outlined plans to expand revenue to 5 billion euros ($5.54 billion) by 2022 from 3.4 billion euros in 2017. The company has said it plans to add a model called the Purosangue to compete with a growing stable of sport utility vehicles wearing premium sports car brands, such as the Lamborghini Urus.

Rival Porsche AG, a unit of Volkswagen AG(VOWG_p.DE), has expanded its sales to more than 250,000 sports cars and sport utility vehicles annually. Elkann said Ferrari is not aiming for Porsche’s level of sales.

($1 = 0.9018 euros)

 

Reporting By Joe White; editing by Diane Craft