News item: Ferrari to park showroom on Park Avenue | FerrariChat

News item: Ferrari to park showroom on Park Avenue

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by djs308, Jan 7, 2004.

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  1. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    Sep 2, 2002
    1,100
    Long Island, NY
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    David S.
    I saw this article in the NY Post Wednesday morning.

    http://www.nypost.com/business/5050.htm

    VERY interesting. Now, why would Ferrari want or need a showroom for DISPLAY only? And to put it on Park Avenue in NYC... I don't get it. They have years long waiting lists on all their cars. So what is the purpose of a showroom that is not used to SELL their cars? Are they planning on charging admission, perhaps? Or sell some Ferrari branded merchandise?

    Not that I'm complaining as I'd be in the line to go check it out. I just can't figure out their motivation to do this. Anybody have the inside scoop?
     
  2. richard

    richard Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,404
    Los Angeles
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    Richard Thompson III
    Advertising is never, ever bad -- especially when your parent company is billions of dollars in debt and small percentages of your company are being sold and rehashed like hotcakes. ;)

    What I don't like is the first line of the article,
    What the hell? That sounds inherently fruity to me...
     
  3. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA F1 World Champ
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    Mar 18, 2002
    18,776
    Denver, CO
    The article said that the showroom is for display purposes only......Imagine some wealthy individual spots a car he wants and is told that he will have to wait for them to contact another dealer in order to locate a saleman. Seems strange to me!
     
  4. noony

    noony F1 Veteran

    Nov 25, 2003
    5,903
    Seoul
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    Johnathan
    LOL Richard!

    That's cool, I'll be going to check that out, along with the porsche, aston martin, rolls royce, mclaren(there's is pretty much just for display puroposes too?), mercedes, maybach, mini.....probably some I've forgotten....Park Lane is heaven for a car enthusiast!
     
  5. AnotherDunneDeal

    AnotherDunneDeal F1 Veteran

    Jun 2, 2003
    6,109
    N.Richland Hills, Tx
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    James Dunne
    BMW operated the BMW Gallery directly across the street from the Waldorf Astoria for a number of years before turning it into a company owned dealership. When it was first opened they used it to display many of their older vintage cars, race cars, art cars and such. They usually put in themed displays. Once while I was there they had the art cars on display and on different days brought in some of the artists who painted them.

    Also used for private functions, receptions and such. It was quite an attention getter.
     
  6. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 23, 2002
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    Jim Glickenhaus
    At 645K a year it cheap for advertising esp. as they may float the co. soon. Good idea.
     
  7. Gman

    Gman Formula Junior
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    Jul 15, 2003
    918
    York, PA
    Does anyone know the expected date that this showroom is to open? I will be in the City first week of March to see a show and would love to stop by.

    John
     
  8. stokpro

    stokpro F1 Rookie
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    Jun 25, 2003
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    Himalayas
    My initial reaction was, "what a waste of $645k a year", but it's actually a good idea. You see, they can get people all excited about the cars and the marque without having to turn inventory every month. They just want to showcase their products without the hassle of managing a car lot and delivering cars to customers. From a marketing stand point the showroom makes total sense, but not from a financial perspective considering how much debt they're already in.
     
  9. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 23, 2002
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    Jim Glickenhaus
    Debt?
     
  10. stokpro

    stokpro F1 Rookie
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    I was under the impression that Fiat is in debt, no? After all, Fiat is selling of parts of the company and restructuring.
     
  11. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jim Glickenhaus
    The FIAT you're referring to is a different Co. and it's debt is not Ferrari's. Ferrari's debt/equity ratio is quite healthy.
     
  12. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 6, 2003
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    Given the tourist numbers in Manhattan, sounds good.

    But I'm surprised they wouldn't arrange some orders from there, but they probably have to honor their dealers in the area. Maybe they'll eventually lease out desk space to a high-bidding local dealer.

    But what they REALLY need to push are Maseratis!

    I think it's time for some television advertising. 97% of people couldn't even tell you if Maserati is still around or not, let alone visually identify any Maserati product (people see a Porsche and can recognize it as a Porsche, even if they don't know the model). They have to hook them while they're young.
     
  13. chefrobear

    chefrobear Formula Junior

    Mar 6, 2002
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    Robert Ginsberg
    Chinetti use to be at 59th and 2nd years ago. I use to stare at the cars there when I was a kid. That was Ferrari's first in Mahattan
     
  14. Hubert888

    Hubert888 F1 Veteran
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    May 14, 2003
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    I'll let you know the first week this Ferrari showroom opens. I live in Manhattan and will take pictures of the place while driving there in my 360 Modena :)
     
  15. Brian C. Stradale

    Brian C. Stradale F1 Rookie
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    Mar 17, 2002
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    Dallas, TX, USA
    Well, at least Ferrari sells cars.

    McLaren had such a display with a McLaren F1 in London in 2001... unfortunately there was nobody there for me to ask: "Thanks for being here... but... why are you here??" ;)
     
  16. Sfumato

    Sfumato F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Angus Podgorney
    Hey Brian, I hear there is a Grigio Titanio CS going in the window right away! ;)
    Sorry, just hadn't heard update...hope you get it soon.
    Lee
     
  17. shelbee

    shelbee Guest

    Lived in NYC (upper east side) for a year. I think it will be good to have one there, except where to take for a test drive??
     
  18. Rene

    Rene Formula 3
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    Jan 5, 2004
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    René
    The McLaren Park Lane display is still there. Occasionally the display car gets switched. Weeks go by with the door closed, then it's left up and open for a while, then the engine bay cover goes up instead... then... then... that's how they ring the changes at McLaren
     
  19. noony

    noony F1 Veteran

    Nov 25, 2003
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    Johnathan
    Isn't it just the XP40 prototype(the only one that could actually go 240mph) that stays there? How many cars does the official dealership sell a year? They respray and retrim to whatever colour you like when you buy a used one from them!
     

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