WOW! Ferrari gets its marching orders. | FerrariChat

WOW! Ferrari gets its marching orders.

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by LouB, Apr 1, 2004.

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  1. LouB

    LouB Formula 3

    Apr 15, 2001
    1,811
    FL, OR
    Maranello, IT. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- April 1, 2004-- Ferrari has today
    announced what can only be described as a major change in their strategy.

    With current massive over-production in the car industry worldwide,
    affecting even the very high-end luxury and exotic car market, Fiat, Ferrari
    ’s parent organisation, have forced Ferrari to look at their current model
    line up with a radical eye on the future and continuing its trend of
    profitability, thereby assisting to abate the hemorrhaging of red ink at
    Fiat.

    At a packed press conference in Modena, spokeswoman Pilar Lofo announced
    that Ferrari, with immediate effect, will be discontinuing the manufacture
    of their 575 model range, putting all of the production capacity this frees
    into running out the existing forward orders of their 360 range. The 360
    model range will also be trimmed to include only the 360 Spider and the 360
    Challenge Stradale, with all models only being available with Ferrari’s
    racing derived F1 gearbox. Production of the 612 Scaglietti will not be
    affected, but prices of the ultra-luxurious 2+2 have been increased by
    23.000 euros.

    Production of the 360 replacement, the 420 Monza, has also been announced
    with first shipments due before the end of 2004. The 420 Monza is a 2+2
    seater, mid engine sports car based largely on the existing 360 Modena but
    powered by a 4.2 litre Maserati engine. Designed to be a volume production
    sports car, the addition of a small rear seat will enable it to better
    compete against the Porsche 911 line. Prices have been announced to start
    at around 190.000 euros.

    Most shockingly to industry analysts, to reflect Fiat's change in global
    strategy and the desire to build volume and profitability in the Maserati
    subsidiary, all 2005 Maserati Coupés, Spyders and the Quattroporte will be
    branded as Ferraris, complete with the legendary Cavallino Rampante, and the
    Maserati name will be retired. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo
    stated, "Enzo Ferrari himself authorized the sale of Dinos as 'Ferraris' to
    increase sales volume and ensure the continued funding of the Ferrari
    Formula 1 team. In order to afford our F1 'dream team' of Messrs.
    Schumacher, Barichello, Byrne, Brawn and Todt through 2006, we must generate
    additional profit from automobile sales. We recognize the power of the
    Ferrari brand throughout the world, and the appeal to enthusiasts.
    Accordingly, the sale of these fast, stylish Italian automobiles as Ferraris
    is entirely appropriate, and we expect that sales and profits will increase
    by no less than 25-30% per annum over the next two years."
    _______________

    Statements in this news release about the introduction and expectations of
    the new revised model lineup are made under the "Safe Harbor" provisions of
    the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements
    involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect
    future results. Among these risk factors are: general economic and business
    conditions and growth in the flat panel display; the impact of competitive
    products and pricing; availability of third-party components; loss of
    significant customers; acceptance of the Company's products; continuation of
    strategic relationships; and other risk factors and cautionary statements
    listed in the Company's periodic reports and registration statements filed
    with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These include, but are not
    limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
    December 31, 2003.
     
  2. t88power

    t88power Formula 3

    Feb 19, 2001
    2,396
    Puerto Rico
    Full Name:
    Ernesto
  3. Ferrari_UK

    Ferrari_UK Formula 3

    Dec 6, 2002
    1,277
    England
    Full Name:
    Jeff Howe
  4. TomSilver

    TomSilver Karting

    Jan 26, 2004
    112
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Tom
    You got me, LouB!

    My 575 will be delivered in the next weeks (hope so!) and while reading this, I was near a collapse. In fact I started a reply until I realized the current date. Thank god I did not press the "submit reply" button.

    Nice work.
     
  5. ChrisFerrara

    ChrisFerrara Rookie

    Mar 18, 2004
    6
    hahahahahaa.... got me. towards the end of that article... i had a little tear running down my face
     
  6. JimSchad

    JimSchad Guest

    got me too! I was about to flip out over the "Rear seat" addition to compete with the 911. whew!
     
  7. niek

    niek Karting

    Mar 24, 2004
    213
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Niek
    haha
    Dammit, you really got me! i was a little bit shocked when i read this, but it's a really good one!
     
  8. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
    10,676
    Worldwide
    Full Name:
    Steven
    Hmm... this seems to coincide with their Columbian Marching Dust event held every April 1. Guess the higher energy level brings about such things.
     
  9. udalmia

    udalmia Guest

    Almost had me going till the branding maser's as ferraris
     
  10. richanton

    richanton Karting

    Nov 3, 2003
    55
    I was seriously freaked out until I got about half way down and realized it was a joke.
     
  11. Organiser

    Organiser Formula Junior

    Jan 13, 2004
    922
    West Midlands UK
    Full Name:
    Phil Haynes
    Nice one, I got as far as reading about dropping the 575
    before the bulb lit up.

    Phil.
     
  12. TSMIV

    TSMIV Formula Junior

    Jan 27, 2004
    374
    Columbus, MS
    Full Name:
    Robert Goodman
    I was wholeheartedly believing it until the next post came into view.

    I stopped reading before the stuff about Maserati. Man that is just sick.

    I thought Luca had lost his mind.
     
  13. stokpro

    stokpro F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jun 25, 2003
    4,383
    Himalayas
    Good work! You had me until I realized they're NOT doing away with the 575M. Very clever, though.
     
  14. robinh

    robinh Formula Junior

    Jan 3, 2004
    622
    Cambridgeshire, Engl
    Full Name:
    Robin
    A very professional job, good one.
     
  15. Jet-X

    Jet-X F1 Veteran

    Nov 2, 2003
    5,688
    Orange County
    Full Name:
    Brian
    Wow, in a way I was disappointed.......about this:

    I was thinking "yes! They're reintroducing the Mondial"

    Guess I'll go sulk now.....

    (good job, had me convinced!)
     
  16. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    The Lotus Group has the announcement that Lotus has sold all the Esprit production dies etc. to Kia. I think in the Lambo room the 4/1 post is that a recent Road & Track found that Lamborghinis are better handling cars than Ferraris.

    Ken
     
  17. tifosi69

    tifosi69 Formula 3

    Dec 23, 2003
    1,678
    Atlanta, Ga.
    Full Name:
    Al-Al Cool J
    You know it's almost not worth even being on here today (April Fool's Day) LOL
     
  18. TSMIV

    TSMIV Formula Junior

    Jan 27, 2004
    374
    Columbus, MS
    Full Name:
    Robert Goodman
    They did for real with the last Elan, why not with the Esprit?

    I called up my Kia dealer and asked to put on the waiting list. 7 years later and I have not heard back, but I am #1 on their list.

    Should I ask for my deposit back?
     
  19. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    That might be true??? A Kia Esprit....They'll have to solve the problem of no more critical parts, like transmissions for one.

    Ken
     
  20. RichardP

    RichardP Rookie

    Nov 7, 2003
    27
    Tunbridge Wells - UK
    Full Name:
    Richard
    was it not the same issue with the Elan, in that the Isusu engine was going out of production and kia dropped their own / another power plant. Maybe Kia could buy up ferrari 360 running gear to help out the old fiat empire
     
  21. jenzo

    jenzo Karting

    Nov 9, 2003
    246
    LONDON
    Full Name:
    JENZO
    Sh**, freaked me out too, nice one.....!!
     
  22. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    Kia never made an Elan. The 1991 model also known as the M100 was actually a GM product as GM owned Lotus at the time. Why there was the Isuzu engine I don't know, but that car is the red headed stepchild among Lotus owners. This isn't entirely fair as it's a pretty neat car if a little stubby looking.

    Ken
     
  23. Omerta

    Omerta Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2004
    607
    that also had me going, good one. The 2+2 modena repleacement had me right pissed off, but, when it was stated that Maserati will have Ferrari badging on their cars, it clicked in my head what day it was.
     
  24. Hann

    Hann Karting

    Dec 17, 2003
    116
    I bet very few noticed the name of the spokeswoman, Pilar Lofo (aka April Fool).....

    Have been lurking here for a few months now and this is my first post. Hoping to land an F-car soon.
     
  25. Bart

    Bart Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,522
    Orange County, Calif
    Full Name:
    Bart
    My God. I need smelling salts. I think I will sue you over this April Fools joke. There are certain things one does not joke about.

    LOL
     

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