‘With intentionally low production, Ferrari needn’t try hard’

Mike Rutherford looks at Ferrari's future plans as the manufacturer celebrates its 70th birthday this year

Opinion - Ferrari

Best-known brand and badge on planet car? It has to be Ferrari and its prancing horse, no? Countless millions have grown up dreaming of owning one. And although rival firms have done their best to make products equally magical, aspirational and desirable, few – if any – have succeeded.

A recently retired employee tells me demand outstripped supply to such an extent that customers for every Ferrari built could be found in a tiny corner of the world: California.

These days, with growing armies of ‘new money’ clients, it’s safe to say Ferrari ‘sales’ execs have it easy. Less about selling products to buyers; more of customers being able to sell themselves to prove they are wealthy, worthy recipients of a prestigious model.

Best supercars on sale

This year, Ferrari’s 70th, will be much like any other. Rich petrolheads who want the cars to drive them, celebs and wide boys craving attention, the mega-rich spoiling themselves, plus investors who don’t let the cars see the light of day will all be begging to buy. With an intentionally low (circa 8,000) annual production figure (800 UK-bound), the firm sits so comfortably it needn’t try hard.

A current exec shakes his head when I suggest Ferrari might follow Bentley and Rolls into the SUV sector. His reaction to those who say complacency might be creeping in at the new-look, Sergio Marchionne-led brand? “Not guilty. Ferrari is the bullseye.”

He welcomes Audi’s arrival on the supercar scene (with the R8), Honda’s return (new NSX) and McLaren’s latest 570S. They attract a new breed of two-seater customer – and many may well end up buying Ferraris.

It’s not all rosy. How much confidence does the swaggering company have left in its troubled F1 team? Sebastian Vettel is one of the best, as he proved in Miami in January with another Race of Champions win. But he deserves much more than a floundering car and a lethargic team-mate.

It needn’t and shouldn’t have been like this. I personally witnessed, at Maranello and elsewhere, how hard Michael Schumacher worked behind the scenes and on the front line at Ferrari. I cheekily suggested to former boss, Luca de Montezemolo, he should appoint Michael as his number two. Luca thanked me for my “super, super creative idea”, before adding it could and would never happen. True enough, as Luca has now been ousted from Ferrari, while Michael fights for his life. I wish the very best to both men... and to Ferrari as it celebrates 70 years.

Would you like to see Ferrari build an SUV? Let us know your thoughts below...

Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Recommended

Ferrari’s next hypercar spied testing with hybrid power and big aero
Ferrari 'F250' hypercar - front
News

Ferrari’s next hypercar spied testing with hybrid power and big aero

The next chapter in Ferrari’s hypercar story is about to open, following on from LaFerrari, Enzo, F50 and F40…
24 Nov 2023
New Ferrari 499P Modificata is a £4.6m track-only Le Mans tribute
Ferrari 499P Modificata - front 3/4
News

New Ferrari 499P Modificata is a £4.6m track-only Le Mans tribute

This is your chance to live out your dreams of winning the famous 24-hour endurance race, in a super-exclusive Ferrari
30 Oct 2023
New Ferrari SP-8 is the latest one-off you can’t buy
Ferrari SP-8 - front
News

New Ferrari SP-8 is the latest one-off you can’t buy

Feast your eyes on this bold Ferrari - created for just one special customer
24 Oct 2023
Top 10 most expensive cars ever sold at auction
Mercedes 300 SLR
Features

Top 10 most expensive cars ever sold at auction

What is the most expensive car ever sold at auction? We list the most valuable cars ever to go under the hammer
21 Aug 2023

Most Popular

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
4 Dec 2023