I saw it on the news tonight...we are getting our very own dealership right here in Palm Beach! It will be located right next door to the existing Maserati dealership. I wrote Dan an email to invite him out to the next event so he can tell us the plans...but it is supposed to be finished construction this December. Now majors, campaigns, and annuals are 10 minutes away from me!
They just finished putting up a temporary wood "wall" around the property last week so I thought something was going to happen. Who's the new owner? I'm curious to see how four dealers are going to survive in such a small area (Orlando to Miami). They'll have to each focus on used sales I guess. Ft. Lauderdale's territory would be what Broward county only?
Not sure what the franchise territory is, but I can assume the cost was high...and there would have to be larger allocations from the factory to support the decision to add new dealerships. Some people just wont drive from North Palm to Ftl Lauderdale. I guess. Its weird you know...the car sales are to support the F1 team, and didnt the budget just get cut in half?
F'ked up timing....... Tampa just opened, and if there's one opening in Palm Beach........wow, that would make 5 dealers in Florida!!! (The Collection, Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale, Ferrari of Central Florida, Ferrari of Tampa, and Ferrari of Palm Beach)....... IMO, that seems like WAAAYYY too many dealers in this economic climate. I guess now that Ferrari has entered the realm of mass-produced-soccer-mom-mobiles (a-la California) and traded some of the heritage and mistique for cars geared for the gen-pop, they will have plenty of locations.
With all the talk of them possibly leaving F1.... maybe they are looking at NASCAR.... that would explain dealerships at every corner...... Dealer allocation day will be fun.... one for you... and one for you...... you've been good, you get 2.....
Maybe they are planning on buying out GM and turning all the old Fiero's into FakeFerraris. I just hope Ferrari doesnt start making SUVs!
Just saw the wall on the way to work, Says coming Dec 2009 Looks liek they tore down the Smart dealership and are building a new showroom
Ft. Lauderdale Ferrari has little if any business north of the Boca Raton zip codes, so doubtful their business would be hurt. Also, initial discussion was that no one's allocation would be negatively affected by adding Palm Beach. There is very little mark-up in a new Ferrari, most of the dealer's profit is made from pre-owned cars, or as they humorously call them in Mexico, semi-new. Originally, Ferrari wanted the PB dealership to be like a Tiffany's, the idea was/is that new cars being introduced to North America would be introduced here. Not sure if that is still the plan. This dealership was to have been started over one year ago, so it appears that this time its for real. As JG pointed out, not the same owner as FoFL.
hey doc, you going to show up to our next event here in palm beach gardens next wednesday? we would all LOVE to see that CS in person. www.gofastmotorcars.com we just had two MD's join too. (sorry to hijack....wait, its my thread.)
Service will be open out of the temporary facility (entrance is on Indian Rd. or thru Mercedes) June 22nd.
Guys, I spoke with the new and upcoming GM for the Ferrari store...he has assured me that when the new store is up and running he will be hosting the Go Fast Motorcars club there for an event...he also re-assured me that Ferrari service will begin around June 22nd...so that includes campaigns, fluids and maintenance out of the current Maserati bays...temporarily until the Ferrari store is finished in December.... What a Christmas it will be this year! ;-) John
