16.03.2004 THE RUSSIAN AND NORTH EUROPEAN TOUR KEEPS HEADING NORTHWARDS THROUGH THE SNOWS OF FINLAND

After an exhausting dash through Northern Europe, Sweden, Finland and Saint Petersburg in Russia, a Ferrari 575M Maranello, a 360 Modena, a Maserati Quattroporte and a Spyder Cambiocorsa have arrived into Moscow.

They attended a thronged meeting with the media organised by importer Mercury, at which they were the focus of the attention of both the press and the huge crowd of Muscovites gathered for the official launch of Ferrari and Maserati on the Russian market. The event was also attended by Italian Ambassador Gianfranco Facco Bonetti and other Italian diplomatic and commercial representatives.

The expectations for the two celebrated marques are very high in Russia, not least because this Tour offered further confirmation of just how incredibly reliable the Prancing Horse and Trident models are, even when faced with the toughest of climatic conditions.

“The official marketing will begin with the opening of the Showroom in Moscow in the second half of May,” announced Maserati Sales Director Roberto Ronchi. “But even now, we can predict selling at least 100 cars between Ferraris and Maseratis in 2004 alone.”

“The Russian market has enormous potential,” said Ferrari Maserati Group Communication Director Antonio Ghini “But as is traditional, Ferrari and Maserati both want to maintain the requisite brand exclusivity and respond to spontaneous market demand without forcing it, as that wouldn’t be part of the Group’s policy.”

Great attention was also focused on Formula 1, in view of the upcoming second leg of the F1 World Championship which takes place in Malaysia next weekend.

The Russian and Northern European Tour left the Maserati headquarters in Modena on March 5th and cut through Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Russia as far as Saint Petersburg and Moscow, before setting off on the return leg through the Baltic Republics, Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria. The cars are expected back in Modena in late March.

Russia will be the 50th country conquered by the Ferrari Maserati Group as a result of very high demand and strong market interest.

Holder of the Constructors’ World title for the last five Formula 1 seasons, Ferrari’s most important world markets are the United States, Germany and England. The market situation is quite similar for Maserati which also looks set to garner fresh victories on the racing circuits courtesy of the new MC12 after it makes its track debut in mid-season.