“To
build an exceptional product you need exceptional people, who are given
an excellent environment in which to work,” maintained President Montezemolo.
“This is what we have at Ferrari, where everyone works as part of the same
team, in an atmosphere which merges culture and tradition with the future
and innovation. This is what makes Ferrari one of the most prestigious
companies in the world.
“In 1997, we put in hand the creation of a true Ferrari Village at Maranello. It’s aim was to give our staff the best possible working conditions. The best way to go about this was to put people at the very heart of the project, hence the name Formula Uomo. It is symbolised best by the tree lined road, via Enzo Ferrari, inside which runs the entire evolution of the site,” continued Montezemolo. “We decided to create a highly ecological environment with a perfect organisation, which would continually stimulate and motivate those who work here, making it the most innovative factory in this respect.
“We are very pleased with what we have done, because it is the result of unity, passion and determination, based on total innovation and with the maximum attention paid to the workplace, the product marketing and trends.
”Here is a quick glance at the figures: in 2001, the investment in research and development totalled 225 million Euro, equivalent to around 21% of turnover with an increase of 76% over the previous year and it is all self-financing.
“I
wish to thank the architects, Visconti, Sturchio and Fuksas who have managed
to capture our ideas perfectly,” said the President. “Ferrari communicates
through its own products, its cars and not through amazing architectural
creations. The project therefore had to stay true to our basic philosophy
and I thank the architects for having stuck to that principle. By 2005,
both Ferrari and Maserati will be completely new.”
“Ferrari has already attributed the names Modena and Maranello to its cars, testifying to the Company’s close links to its home town. But we had a dream: to be able to give one of our cars the name of our founder, who had the courage to go out on his own and set up a company. Here is where the FX project can into being and that is also the reason why we decided to put a copy of Enzo Ferrari’s signature inside the car.
“So far we have spoken of the ability to work as a team, of creativity, passion and innovation. This is the basis on which we wish to present the “Enzo,” a car which is unique in the world from every point of view: a twelve cylinder engine which is new in every respect, weight, size, power, ecological credentials, driveability, made entirely from carbon fibre, a gearbox which is right up with the latest evolution in Formula 1, a steering wheel which can control several functions on the car, a car which can beat all 0-100 km/h acceleration figures and top speed records.”
“I specifically want to thank all those involved in the FX project, first of all, Amedeo Felisa, the Managing Director of the Gestione Granturismo, who is the father of “Enzo,” then Piero Ferrari, who right from the start supported my decision to give the car this name. But also Jean Todt who, along with his crew, above all Schumacher, spent many hours on the development of the car,” said Montezemolo. “I cannot leave out all our partners: Bridgestone who have produced an innovative limited edition tyre; Brembo who produced the brakes, the Enzo will be the first Ferrari fitted entirely with carbon brakes, Magneti Marelli for the gearbox; OMR who perfected a pedal box which is adjustable to 16 different positions.”
"The Enzo Ferrari will be officially launched at the Paris Salon in September and production, limited to a run of 349, will begin two months later".
He went on to discuss recent successes, future hopes and the floatation:
“Ferrari
is a company whose characteristics have more in common with a luxury goods
company than with a car firm, given its limited production, exclusivity,
attention to its image and its emotional relationship with its customers.
“We can say that we have reached the very top. A cycle is complete, both
in terms of a renewed range of road cars and in terms of success in F1.
In 2001, Ferrari and Maserati sold a total of 6158 cars. Looking at the
accounts, the net position in 2001 is 172 million Euro, compared with 130
in 2000. Total sales for 2001 amounted to 1058 million Euro compared with
893 in 2000. We will talk about the future when the time is right, but
looking at the first 5 months of 2002, the predictions are for even better
results. In F1, we have won the Constructors’ Championship since 1999 and,
for the past two years, we have also won the Drivers’ title,” said Montezemolo.
“However, Ferrari went through some difficult years while we restructured.
Therefore, we know very well the value of hard work and sacrifice and we
know it could all happen again, but we are prepared to meet that possibility,
both in material terms and psychologically, with the determination which
has always characterised our approach.
“Five years ago, when we started working on the Formula Uomo project, we were not thinking of the Stock Markets, but in any case our plans do not change, even with the acquisition of 34% of Ferrari by Mediobanca. The quotation will simply take a bit longer and it will not happen before the end of this year. I am really happy that Ferrari managed to satisfy Fiat at this particular moment which I am sure will be overcome,” continued Montezemolo. “The acquisition price is in line with the values indicated this week by the three banks with which we have been working recently; Deutsche Bank, Unicredito and Banca Intesa. I would like to thank them for their excellent work, given that it will be the key to the future quotation. “I would also like to welcome our new shareholder, Mediobanca and point out that
Ferrari will always do its utmost for its shareholders. “The financial resources will serve for development,” added Montezemolo. “But Fiat has stated that come what may, it will maintain 51% of Ferrari. This in no way changes our plans which are totally self-financed.”
President Montezemolo ended with two special words of thanks: “To our workforce, which has always worked with, determination, strength and unity and to Avvocato Agnelli, who has always shown us courage and unwavering faith and has shown patience in waiting for our objectives to be reached."
