The North American debut of the 2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and the One-to-one personalisation programme
Ferrari officially premieres today in North America the 2008 612 Scaglietti, the model used to inaugurate the new One-to-One Personalization Program of the Company.
Ferrari intends to allow every client to fully personalise this flagship model, courtesy of a wide array of new content as well as the options available through the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme. In fact, a special dedicated "atelier" area has been set up at the factory, where clients can put together their own bespoke 612 Scaglietti accessory by accessory, detail by detail. In exactly the same way as they would at an haute couture fashion house, owners can choose details and materials they want for their car in consultation with the Ferrari experts who will actually build it to their exact specifications and tastes.
Clients will be assisted in making their selections by dedicated Programme consultants who can help them at every stage of defining their car's specification.
All of these unique new 612 Scagliettis will be built in a dedicated assembly area at the Maranello factory.
The 612 Scagliettis being used to launch the One-to-One Programme incorporate a series of technical evolutions that reflect the Ferrari philosophy of constantly introducing innovations in each model. Most notably, the V12 flagship now boasts an electrochromic panoramic roof which covers the entire top of the cabin. The electrochromic glass can be changed at the touch of a button to adjust the levels of sunlight allowed into the cabin. This solution was developed in close collaboration with Saint Gobain, a partner with whom Ferrari has most recently developed a similar highly innovative solution for the Superamerica.
In addition to its electrochromic roof, the 612 Scaglietti also sports the aptly named SuperFast gearbox which delivers an exceptional gear-shifting time of 100 milliseconds and a reduced inertia clutch to enhance the engine's responsiveness still further. The iconic Ferrari manettino, now featured on the entire range, has also been added to the steering wheel.
The Company's sporting history is represented at the Park Avenue Showroom by the 430 Scuderia, an extreme model voted "Dream Car of the Year" by the authoritative British car magazine Top Gear.
Ferrari in North and South America
2007 was the 15th consecutive year of growth for Ferrari North America with 1,762 cars delivered in the United States and Canada and a further 90 in Central and South America, amounting to 1,851 Ferraris altogether. This figure represents 30% of Ferrari's total sales worldwide, making North America the company's largest market. Sales were also up 8% on the previous year's figures for the North, Central and South American market.
There are 45 dealerships in Ferrari's American network: 32 are in the United States, 4 in Canada and 9 in South America.
The North American dealership network has invested $70 million over the last three years in upgrading its infrastructure while a further $30 million will be spent in 2008.
California is the largest of the North American markets, accounting for 27% of sales. It is followed by North East (16%), Florida (11%), Texas (7%) and Chicago (6%).
The leading South American markets are Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile and Argentina.
Ferrari North America enjoys an exclusive relationship with its clients and enthusiasts, which has been further enhanced by the introduction of a vast range of services and events over the last few years. These include the Ferrari Challenge, which celebrates its 16th edition this year and offers F430 Challenge owners no less than seven different opportunities to race their cars in the course of the year.
In 2008 The Ferrari Challenge races will be held in Florida, Georgia, Northern California (both at the Infeneon and Laguna Seca tracks), Quebec and New Jersey.
Since 2006 Ferrari North America has also been organizing the Ferrari North America Driving School, which is based at the Mont Tremblant circuit in Quebec. Course participants are given the opportunity to learn various driving control techniques to ensure they fully enjoy their car at the peak of its performance in an environment in which safety remains the absolute priority at all times.
Ferrari Financial Services was also introduced to the United States in July 2007. The company was created to acquaint Ferrari clients to a new world of services, including but not limited to financing options, which utilize a wide range of personalized flexible programs.