For Ferrari, 2005 opens with several important debuts: the Superamerica designed by Pininfarina, a car in which the performance of Ferrari's twelve-cylinder berlinetta has been combined with a powerfully original and innovative approach to the convertible concept, and the US launch of the F430, called upon to take up the legacy of the 360, which in its Modena, Spider and Stradale versions is now the best-selling model of the Maranello company.

With these cars, Ferrari is ringing in an important year at the Detroit Auto Show, in the wake of its extraordinary sales and racing results in 2004.

The year that just ended will be remembered for the success of the Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1, winning the World Constructors' Title for the sixth consecutive year and - with Michael Schumacher - the Drivers' Championship for the fifth year in a row.

At the same time, however, the year was also notable for its sales results, which were the highest ever posted by the company.

In fact, in 2004 Ferrari sold about 4900 cars, due especially to the special Enzo and Challenge Stradale series, the good performance of the 360 in its last sales season and the particularly warm reception received by the 612 Scaglietti, which was launched here in Detroit last year.

A significant contribution to 2004 sales was given by the excellent ramp-up of the brand-new F430, which has already garnered a number of awards - four within just three months of its presentation this past September in Paris - and shown in Detroit today for the first time.

These results reflect the important contributions of North America (4% increase compared to the number of cars delivered in 2003), the United Kingdom (+19%), Japan (+38%) and France (+14%). New and growing markets (China, Russia, Eastern Europe and South America) contributed substantially to volumes increase, without jeopardizing the exclusivity of the brand.
 
These successful sales have allowed the Ferrari Maserati Group to post the highest turnover in its history, approaching Euro 1.5 billion (1.26 billion in 2003).

The year 2004 was also an important one in terms of managerial and organizational developments. Jean Todt was appointed Managing Director of Ferrari and Amedeo Felisa Deputy Managing Director; the Brand Development & Partners Office was established to guarantee the management of sponsors, the development of licensing and merchandising, and the expansion of sales activities that will play on the value of the brand; work continued to reorganize the Group's commercial presence, based on a philosophy of direct presence in the most important countries: as a result, the Ferrari Maserati Group directly controls operations in the countries in which over 80% of its customers are located.

In 2005 Ferrari will face the challenge of confirming the excellent commercial results achieved in the year that just ended - and extraordinary year for the Prancing Horse, notwithstanding the costs incurred for renewing the product range. This is a challenge that the company is confident it can tackle, thanks not only to the Superamerica but also to complete availability of the 612 Scaglietti and the F430, which will start to be delivered in North America in the spring.

Ferrari Superamerica

The Superamerica will be introduced at the Detroit Auto Show. Designed by Pininfarina, this is a car combining the performance of Ferrari's twelve-cylinder Berlinetta with a highly original interpretation of the convertible concept.

This is the first production car to use an innovative mechanism for rotating roof movement combined with electrochromic technology developed exclusively with Saint Gobain for glass surfaces of this size and debuting here. The unique concept of the roof (patented by Fioravanti) allows the driver to drop the top on the car electrically in just 10 seconds, making the Superamerica the fastest convertible berlinetta in the world (top speed 200 mph). Built based on the 575M Maranello, and available in the dual version with an F1 and manual gearbox, the Superamerica boasts further development of the twelve-cylinder engine, which has been boosted to 540 hp. It can also be equipped with Ferrari's latest high-tech features, represented by the GTC Handling package, including carbon-ceramic brakes. The car is fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tires.
 
The car's extraordinary roof, which has been named "Revocromico" to emphasize the combination of a single rotation axis with electrochromic technology, features a carbon-fiber structure, which makes it very light. Moreover, the trunk can be used to full capacity even when the top is down. When the roof is open, the unique design of the rear window automatically acts as a wind deflector. The use of electrochromic glass for the roof allows the driver to choose the tint level at any time, using a five-position selector that makes it possible to go from dark to light in less than a minute.

The Ferrari Superamerica is a limited-edition model, 559 units will be on sale, and the Los Angeles and Detroit Auto Shows mark its worldwide premier.

Ferrari in North America

2004 became 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.

In November Ferrari completed its commemoration of its glorious past by re-establishing a presence in the place where the 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 begins 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 has its debut at NAIAS. In late Spring, deliveries will begin on the new V8 F430 which follows the most successful Ferrari road car of all time, the 360 Modena. The Ferrari dealer network will also grow in 2005, 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. Ferrari North America is the sole importer and distributor of Ferraris in North America and is responsible for all organization and operating requirements for the marque in the United States and Canada, including the technical training and spare parts service. Ferrari North America has a retail facility on the West Coast of the United States, Ferrari of San Francisco.

Activities for Ferrari Owners

Ferrari North America organizes a number of special events and racing activities each year to give Ferrari owners the opportunity to share together the passion of driving their special automobiles.

This year, Ferrari North America will host its 7th Challenge Rally in the Napa Valley from August 8th through 13th. In 2004, as in 2003, the Rally reached its limit for participation with 50 Ferraris- everything from historic Ferrari's from the 1950's through modern supercars such as the Enzo Ferrari. The 2005 route will feature the finest roads, in this historic wine making region, sometimes closed to the public for timed 'special sessions'. The rally ends again in Monterrey just in time for the start of the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance and surrounding festivities.

Ferrari Challenge-Trofeo Pirelli 2005

In its 12th consecutive year the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli has established itself as one of the most respected and professional Gentleman Racing series in the world of automobile competition. Drivers now compete using the 360 Challenge, the third challenge model since this series was first started in Europe in 1993.

This is the first Challenge car that has been built as a pure racing car, while its predecessors - the 348 and the 355 were both street cars fitted with a racing kit. Technical support at the racetrack is given by authorized Ferrari dealerships around the country to help ensure the highest standards of race preparation.

In 2005 the Ferrari Challenge - Trofeo Pirelli racing series celebrates its 12th consecutive season in North America. There are six events scheduled throughout the year, with a final event in Italy in October to wrap the season with a two days of racing with participants from all over the world.

The North American events will take place at Fontana, California, on the first weekend in April; Las Vegas, Nevada, in May; Montreal in support of the Formula One race in mid-June; Mt. Tremblant, Canada, in late June; Lime Rock Park, Connecticut, in July; Road America, Wisconsin, in August.

For the ninth consecutive season, in 2005 the Shell Historic Challenge will see historic Ferraris and Maseratis racing at some of the most prestigious American and Canadian racetracks. There are five events scheduled for 2005, four of them concomitant with the Challenge races: Fontana, Laguna Seca, Lime Rock Park and Road America. The seasonal debut is traditionally scheduled for January at the Moroso racetrack in Florida, as part of the Cavallino Classic weekend.