458 production numbers

Since its unlikely even the factory can foretell the future that accurately you may have to be satisfied with an estimate

 

Just returning from a 6000 mile trip across the US and Canada, I saw only 1 ferrari the entire time (vs. about 40 Corvettes). Even if they make 10-15,000 458,s seeing them will likely be a rare event.

 

Not true. Strongly depends where you live. They are relatively a common sight in HIGH END areas in Florida, NY/NJ and I suspect Ca and Texas etc. Probably hard to find them in Kokomo , Fargo North Dakota etc.

 

in the last 4 weeks ive seen 3 Different 458 Italia...

thats just in Montreal

 

I can't imagine that the Ferrari factory can simply produce as many as there is demand for as was suggested in another post. There is a lot of hand-work that goes into the build of a Ferrari and a factory can't simply ramp up as demand dictates or ramp down as it doesn't. It takes time and money to increase a production line, not to mention having to find, hire, and train workers. I'm basing this opinion solely on my understanding of how business is done, not specifically about Ferrari SpA's production capacity, but it makes common sense that there isn't a surplus of skilled labor just waiting to be hired and a redundancy of tooling just waiting to be put into service. Therefore, they will sell as many as they can produce if the demand is there, but I seriously doubt there will be a doubling or tripling of production from their capacity to produce the F430, at least I hope not.

 

Have you seen the the type of "quality" on a Ferrari lately. It's obvious "skilled" labor is not a requirement. Ferrari can produce as many 458's as necessary in a very short time.

 

No, I haven't. Is it conventional wisdom that Ferrari is producing poor quality cars? I've only been on this forum a few weeks and have never read anything about poor quality. What specific areas are owners complaining about?

It takes more than people to stamp out sheet metal, cast aluminum, make welds, etc. It takes robots and they take time to be made, so I doubt that Ferrari is capable of doubling capacity so easily and quickly. If they were, then why didn't they build sufficient F430s to meet demand? They didn't charge the high premiums that were made in the aftermarket, so why would they choose to under-deliver F430s and then suddenly have a change-of-heart and start building as many cars as people are willing to buy?

 

My answer was part tongue-in-cheek (it had a smiley face). As you said, you haven't been on Ferrarichat long but there has been numerous discussions about production capacity. Ferrari remodeled their factory a while back so they are able to produce thousands of cars if necessary. The economy went into the tank so there hasn't been the demand to produce more cars. The 430 was a different time and different market than it is now.

 

Check the threads on paint quality leaving the factory.

Mike

 

Yes, true, but even then one wonders why F cars rarely seem to make it beyond the urban periphery. For all the issues one might have with Corvettes, their owners seem mighty comfortable taking long Xcountry trips with reliable cars and excellent serivce networks, vs. the uneasy F crown who hunker down in and around big cities with a dealer in easy reach if/when they break down.

 

Yes, no doubt and I think I can shed some perspective on why. First, of the 3 or 4 458s that have arrived in Montreal, all owners are consumed by showing them off and taking lots of short jaunts in an effort to attain the break in mark of 1000kms. Then, they'll be able to put the metal to the peddle a few times and satisfy themselves the car is superb before they commence garaging it. More formidable howerver is trying to squeeze in visible enjoyment days before the next ice age hits Montreal -- from about Nov. to April -- with April being the grubby slow melt and dirt period. Good thing the 458 comes with a 'soft suspension' button to accomodate the potholes out there. Bottom line, you'll see lots of 458 drive bys for awhile, then nothing for half a lifetime.

 

+1 Well said.

 

I have heard from a number of dealers that production, at least for the next year, will be closer to the 08-09 430 production numbers, not the 05-07 numbers. Demand is not as strong and I believe Ferrari is trying to keep prices up. This theory may only exist in the US as I am sure some parts of the world, specifically China, has seen a rise in demand and Ferrari will fill more orders outside of the US and keep production numbers high. These cars will probably just never see North America. I can pretty much guarantee that the US market will not see a flood of 458's, in this economic time, it will just not happen. Ferrari has a strong base for a following and they track it very closely. They will make just enough cars to fill the need and leave some people waiting. Don't expect to see these sitting on dealer floors like gallardo's.

 

Just go to the factory and have a look at the V8 production line. It is impressive. Could be a Toyota factory. Just because the factory since late 08 does not mean that quality is down - I suspect it is the contrary. Big difference is that now factory can switch production in an instant from Calis to 458's. As Cali sales slow, production of 458's will increase. Factory also not working at full capacity but that will change as confidence in the West returns

 

Display at the 2011 Denver Auto Show. No idea if the info is accurate or not, but it sure is an interesting number.
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The paint quality is excellent, don't let the threads fool you. After the car is painted the car is tested (any weather) returned to shop for minor corrections if any and taken to transport prep section. Washed and covered in protective plastic, put on boat or plane, checked into port, received by dealer and prepared there for delivery. Lot's of swirls can happen in that sequence. The paint quality is excellent and I've examined cars on the factory floor. The difference in opinion is likely due to shipping or preparation for delivery. And the people working at Ferrari are true professionals and they know how fortunate they are to walk through the doors of the Ferrari factory every day and it's reflected in their work. Nothing to worry about regarding quality at Ferrari.

 

Hell I even spotted a 458 Challenge while driving around here in NJ.

 

Yeah when I drove up to Montreal last summer for the F1 race the roads were horrible. My friend who lives there said all the construction companies are run by the mob and do substandard work so they just get to do it over again when the road breaks up again.

 

You always hear this from someone living in New York Metro area, South Florida, LA.. for the rest of us 150 million people living in the other 47 states a Ferrari is indeed a rare sight. I had seen 2 (two) 360's, 1 (one) 430 and 5 (five) other Ferrari's in my life before buying mine. They're no Corvette.

 

Two of the larger US dealers (one in Socal, other in Norcal) told me that they delivered about 20 458s last year. If you assume that the average dealer is a bit lower (the Socal dealer says they are number 6 in the US) that gets you to 600 cars or a perhaps a nudge below.

OTOH it is in the dealers' interest to have the car seem as rare as possible.

 

Hawkeye,

I assume your response was "tongue in cheek". But you should use a smiley face when you do that, othewise people will think you are serious.

I just took delivery of a 458 and the paint quality was atrocious, just like my last new Ferrari. When I brought it up the condition of the paint to the dealer they said that they are all that way.

I commented that this time the bumper color did not even match the body color of the car. They said none of them do. So I looked at three 458s and all three had a darker shade of color on the front bumper than the body color. Mine was a dramatic difference, the two others were just a shade off. My car had scratches, buffer marks, sanding marks, and imperfections all over the car. It really looked like Ferarri has kids with buffers going to town on the cars before they leave the factory, at least not professional detailers.

Oh and just to make sure. My car came in on Thursday and I told the dealer that I did not want it detailed, just take the plastic off and wash it. That way I could see what the factory did. I picked it up Friday morning.

Oh, and I forgot to mention in addition to the paint, I found that the front grill wing was cracked from one end to the other. How could they miss a broken wing..........too busy buffing I guess, or could did they run over something and had to replace the bumper and missed the wing, either way, it's not professional quality by any means

 

Wow, that's so sad! My two 430's we're perfect. Never did a single thing to the paint or anything else for that matter. I hope my 458 is no exception, but you definately got me worried buddy

 

Based on your 458 order post, you might want to read this in case you haven't already seen it:
http://www.toddcooperider.com/ferrari-458-italia-in-grigio-silverstone-paint-correction-and-image-gallery/

 

Yes thanks, believe it or not my car went from the dealer to Todd and after 22 hours of work it looked better than Ferrari new

So the good news is guys like Todd can fix most of the imperfections that they encounter with a new Ferrari.

The bad news, Todd couldn't fix the broken wing or the actual color of the bumper