Ferrari has unveiled the stunning 599 GTB Fiorano at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, its North American motor show première. The 599 GTB Fiorano completes a range entirely overhauled in a little over two years. “During the development of the 599 GTB Fiorano we dedicated a great deal of attention to the North American market and especially to California where Ferrari has a high concentration of passionate clients,” said Amedeo Felisa, General Manager of Ferrari S.p.A.

“The V12 mid-front engine 599 GTB Fiorano represents the best of Ferrari’s current production. It is the highest performance production series Ferrari ever. At the same time it provides unmatched comfort and driving pleasure,” added Mr Felisa. 2006 has been a significant year for Ferrari in terms of company performance, continuing the positive trend of 2005. In the first half of 2006, the company recorded revenues of € 706 million, a 16.7% increase on the same period last year. Ferrari also doubled its trading profit, which rose from € 32 to € 64 million with a total of 2,749 cars delivered to the dealership network (+4.8%.)

To preserve the unique heritage of the Prancing Horse’s surviving classic cars, Ferrari also created Ferrari Classiche, a new division providing historic car owners with maintenance, restoration, technical assistance and authenticity certification services. The Company, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2007 with a worldwide event in which its clients will be the main participants, will also be showing the F430 Spider, the 612 Scaglietti as well as the F2002 single-seater, the 2006 F430 Challenge and a 1967 275 GTB at its Los Angeles stand.

Following on the great success of the just completed Panamerican 20,000, the 599 GTB Fiorano is the most eagerly awaited model on the Ferrari stand at Los Angeles. In completing the Panamerican 20,000 mile journey; a gruelling 84 day, 16 country trek from Brazil to the United States, two 599 GTB Fioranos were welcomed by a throng of fans at the New York Stock Exchange on November 17th where the finish line ceremony was held. This trek was a great demonstration of the capability and reliability of the 599 GTB Fiorano on some of the most challenging roads in the Americas.

The 599 GTB Fiorano boasts absolutely blistering performance with its Enzo Ferrari-derived 5,999 cm3 V12 engine which punches out 611 hp at 7600 rpm. With a power-weight ratio of under 6.1 lbs/hp, a stunning Pininfarina-designed body and an all-aluminium spaceframe developed in collaboration with Alcoa, the 599 GTB Fiorano offers a range of cutting-edge innovations which provide absolutely superior driving pleasure, handling and sportiness. The 599 GTB roars from 0 to 62 mph in an astonishing 3.7 seconds and from 0 to 124 mph in just 11 seconds with a top speed in excess of 205 mph. Courtesy of the ongoing technology transfer from Formula 1 to Ferrari’s road cars, the 599 GTB Fiorano is equipped with two features that have proved enormously popular with its Formula 1 drivers: the F1-SuperFast gearbox which offers gear shifting in 100 milliseconds, and F1-Trac which optimises traction. Both features make their road car debut on this model. The 599 GTB Fiorano also boasts other features which that help ensure superior standards of usability, ergonomics and safety engineering: the SCM (magnetorheological fluid suspension system), developed in collaboration with Delphi, which provides improved bump absorption and body control, an enhanced manettino vehicle dynamics control switch, and a wind tunnel-honed body that delivers more downforce with increasing speed.

The uniqueness and distinctiveness of Ferrari’s road cars can be further enhanced with the Carrozzeria Scaglietti personalisation programme which offers additional new options. The entire range of cars is compatible, for instance, with an iPod^® controlled via the radio-CD player. The 8-cylinder range is now also available with a two-tone Alcantara^® and leather interior as well as ball-polished Challenge wheel rims. The entire Ferrari range can also be treated with an anti-stone chipping protective coating. The Carrozzeria Scaglietti Personalisation Programme is divided into four distinct areas: Racing and Track, Exteriors and Colours, Interiors and Materials, Equipment and Travel. The programme was introduced in 1997 to allow owners to personalise their car to suit their own specific taste and requirements, making each one a genuinely unique vehicle. Since last year, all Ferraris built have included at least some personalisation features. Clients may also make non-catalogue special requests which the company will endeavour to meet in the spirit of the work done by Sergio Scaglietti with Ferrari in its earliest days.

Ferrari’s marque development is also progressing apace, thanks both to new licensing contracts (Panerai for luxury watches, Marcolin for eyewear, Microsoft and Sony for video games) and to the excellent performance of existing ones. 2006 also saw the opening of two new stores in Italy; the Venice Ferrari Store and the Milan Malpensa Airport Store. By the end of the year, a store will open in Beijing followed by the Beverly Hills store set to open at the Beverly Center in the first quarter of 2007. Since the start of the year, there have been several major changes to Ferrari’s commercial and company structure too. Our American headquarters has taken over responsibility for Central and South America, and a new sales division was also created for the Asia-Pacific region which covers 13 high potential markets including Japan, China, Australia and Hong Kong.

Ferrari in North America

2005 was the 13th consecutive year of increasing sales for Ferrari North America ending with 1,550 units retailed.  In 2006 the company anticipates matching its sales performance from last year. North America is the most important market for Ferrari, representing approximately 30% of the marque’s worldwide sales. Ferrari’s top car market in North America is California, which accounts for 27% of sales (16% of which in Southern California), followed by the Northeast with 16% of sales, Florida with 11%, Texas with 7% and Chicago with 6%.The Ferrari dealer network is comprised of 36 dealers (32 in the United States, four in Canada) in North America.  Ferrari is represented by four authorised dealers in Southern California; Ferrari of Beverly Hills, Auto Gallery in Woodland Hills, Ferrari of Newport Beach and Ferrari of San Diego in La Jolla. Ferrari North America Inc., located in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, is headed by Maurizio Parlato, President and CEO, now in his fifth year at the helm of Ferrari’s largest market worldwide. Ferrari North America is the sole importer and distributor of Ferrari sports cars in North America and is responsible for all organisation and operating requirements for the marque in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central and South America, 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 and a corporate showroom located at 410 Park Avenue in New York City.

“It is not only great products which have made North America Ferrari’s most successful market. It is also the passion of our clients, the innovation in our marketing platform that we have implemented as an organisation and the professionalism or our North American dealer network that has invested more than US$80 million in facilities over the last five years,” said Maurizio Parlato commenting on Ferrari North America’s performance.
 

Ferrari in Central and South America

In order to strengthen and consolidate Ferrari’s presence in Central and South America, Ferrari S.p.A. has given responsibility to Ferrari North America for countries in this region effective January 1st, 2006. Mexico and Brazil are the key emerging markets in this area. With a total of nine dealers in the region, Ferrari is represented at three outlets in Mexico including Mexico City, Guadelajara and Monterey.  In Brazil, there is an authorised dealer in Sao Paolo.  Additional dealerships can be found in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; Caracas, Venezuela; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This region is collectively responsible for approximately 100 sales per year.  This consolidation is expected to strengthen the network and improve customer satisfaction in these important emerging markets.

Ferrari Classiche

The breath-taking 275 GTB on the stand at Los Angeles is a reminder that Ferrari officially opened its new headquarters in Italy for the Ferrari Classiche Division in July this year.  Ferrari Classiche is responsible for the certification of Ferrari road cars more than 20 years old and racing cars of any age.  Certification confirms the car’s authenticity and facilitates its entry to official Ferrari events including, for example, the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge.  Certification applications can be performed at all North American authorised Ferrari dealerships.  Another element of the Classiche programme is that for the first time, owners may have their Ferrari restored at the Ferrari factory.  By supplying original and remanufactured parts and components, factory restoration helps ensure the vehicle’s authenticity.

Ferrari in the American Le Mans Series

Ferrari wishes to congratulate Risi Competizione for winning the 2006 American Le Mans Series Team Championship.  The combined efforts of Ferrari North America dealers Giuseppi Risi of Ferrari of Houston, Remo Ferri of Remo Ferri Competizione, Giacomo Mattioli and Art Zafiropoulo of Ferrari of Silicon Valley led to this historic victory at Laguna Seca in October this year. Facing stiff competition from Porsche during the season, the team captured seven poles, six fastest laps and won four races.

The Ferrari Challenge

Ferrari wishes to congratulate 2006 champion Emmanuel Anassis for his third consecutive championship in the North American Ferrari Challenge Series. 2006 was one of the most successful year yet for the Ferrari Challenge with an average of 28 competitors filling the grid for each race. 2007 will mark the 14th consecutive year of the Ferrari Challenge in North America. This series has established itself as one of the most respected and professional Gentleman’s Racing Series in the world of automobile competition. In 2007, the F430 Challenge will replace the 360 Challenge with which it ran concurrently in 2006. The 8-cylinder berlinetta-derived F430 Challenge competition car retains the same general look and 479 hp engine as the road going version while incorporating a large number of significant track-oriented modifications and a host of new features not seen in the 360 Challenge car.

In 2007 the Ferrari Challenge racing series in North America will see six events scheduled throughout the year and a final event hosted in Italy in October to wrap up the season with two days of racing with participants from all over the world. The provisional North American calendar will kick-off with the first race at the Homestead Miami Speedway in March.  Races will follow at Infineon Raceway in Northern California in April, in Montreal in support of the Formula One race in early June, and at Mt. Tremblant, Canada in late June. Two additional race venues will be announced soon. For the eleventh consecutive season, in 2007 the Shell Historic Challenge will see historic Ferrari and Maserati racing cars at some of the most prestigious American and Canadian racetracks. There are five events scheduled for 2007, four of them concurrent with Challenge races. The final schedule will be announced soon.

The Ferrari Driving Experience

For the first time ever, the Ferrari factory has authorised a driving school outside of Italy. Located at the scenic Mt. Tremblant race track in Quebec, students learn techniques to help control and enjoy their cars at the limit of their ability in an environment where safety is always the top priority. This course is modelled on the Ferrari S.p.A. driving course which focuses on proper driving skills and gives owners the opportunity to experience the full capability of their cars on a closed circuit. The school runs from May until September and is limited to owners of Ferrari cars. Reservations can be made through Ferrari North America or through an authorised Ferrari dealer. The dates and costs of the school can be found at www.experienceferrari.com. The North America Driving School offers instruction corresponding to “Pilota Ferrari” courses which take place at the Fiorano track in Maranello, Italy.  For over 10 years Ferrari S.p.A. has organised a series of different driving courses offering a progressive series of steps leading up to a true racing course, which is only offered in Italy.

Certified Pre-Owned Programme

To provide peace of mind and reassurance to owners of both new and pre-owned Ferrari sports cars, Power Service Contracts are exclusively available from authorised Ferrari dealers. Available in three different packages, the Power Service Contracts will cover selected components on vehicles up to 10 years old. In 2005, the security of the Power Service Contract contributed to an almost 30% increase in sales of pre-owned Ferrari sports cars at authorised dealers.

Ferrari North America Marketing Initiatives

Ferrari North America organises a number of special events and rallies each year to give Ferrari owners the opportunity to share the passion of driving their special automobiles. More information on the Challenge Rallies including plans for next year can be found at www.ferrarirally.com. Ferrari North America takes special efforts to maintain close contact with its clients. Rosso Magazine and Rosso Online are complimentary publications reaching out to the extended Ferrari family with the latest information on new products, racing activities, customer profiles and partner activities. Additionally, Ferrari clients can avail themselves of a Concierge Service that allows them to reserve spots in rallies, book VIP passes for Ferrari Challenge weekends, enrol in the driving school, arrange factory tours and RSVP for special events.