To celebrate more than 50 years of passion and heritage in the North American market, as well as its own significant California legacy, Ferrari North America and an owner's brigade of more than 60 vintage and modern-day Ferraris from throughout the nation will thunder across the Golden Gate Bridge tomorrow.  The procession will continue to the St. Francis Yacht Club where Ferrari North America and its owners will be honoured by the City and the California Historical Society.

The crossing tomorrow will be the culmination of four days of competitive rallying through Northern California's Napa Valley wine country testing driver's skills in time, distance and accuracy. The Ferrari Challenge Rally is in its 8th year. More than sixty vehicles are taking part, including such collectibles as a 1955 Ferrari 166; 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L and a 1958 250 PF Coupe, as well as current limited production models including the rare, yet powerful, Enzo and the company's all-new flagship, the Super America.

Ferrari in North America

Last year was the 12th consecutive record year of sales for Ferrari North America ending with over 1400 units retailed versus 1350 the previous year. This success is no surprise, given that it was the 50th Anniversary for Ferrari in the United States and that the North American branch of the house of the prancing horse hosted a number of special events, and took part in tributes to its special connection to this market. Celebrations began with the first ever world unveiling of a Ferrari on American soil with the 612 at NAIAS 2004, continued with the Empire State Building being lit in Rosso Corsa in Ferrari's honor in April, and with the historic collection of approximately 2000 Ferrari's over the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance weekend in mid August. Last November Ferrari completed its commemoration of its glorious past by re-establishing a presence in the place where the firm's North American adventure began 50 years ago.
 

Just blocks from the location where Luigi Chinetti set up the first Ferrari atelier in the United States in April 1954, Ferrari has opened a corporate showroom on world famed Park Avenue. The location provides Ferrari with an ambassadorial presence in the financial capital of the United States and the world. According to Maurizio Parlato, Ferrari North America President and CEO, "Each tribute to Ferrari this year was an honor to behold. The strong bond between the prancing horse and the United States -a market that had a significant role in shaping the myth of Ferrari- was on display throughout the year and has been re-affirmed."

2005, year one of Ferrari's second half century in the United States began in a fitting manner: with the second launch of an all-new model on American soil: V12 Superamerica, a limited edition car which pays homage to the United States customer which had its debut at NAIAS. In late Spring, deliveries began on the new V8 F430 which follows the most successful Ferrari road car of all time, the 360 Modena. The Ferrari dealer network is also growing this year, expanding to 36 dealers (34 in the United States, four in Canada) with the addition of locations in Silicon Valley, California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

North America is the most important market for Ferrari, representing approximately 30% of the marque's brand's worldwide sales. Ferrari's top car market in North America is California, which accounts for 27% of sales, followed by the Northeast with 16% of sales, Florida with 12% and Texas with 7%. Ferrari North America Inc., located in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, is headed by Maurizio Parlato, President and CEO, now in his third year at the helm of Ferrari's largest market worldwide.