Interesting Article...

....ok, where can I buy a pair of those glasses you are obviously reading the article with...?

 

Harris is a well respected journalist. He sees this issue up close, and has done so for years. He is saying that Ferrari is chronic in how they 'massage' the journalist tests, and is declaring that he has had enough. Considering that he will probably now be blacklisted by Ferrari, I have no doubt that he put much thought and consideration into what he was describing. It's interesting how many of the subscribers to this forum are quick to discredit what he says, when he is providing pretty compelling evidence to back up his statements. You only have to look at how Ferrari plays 'fast and loose' with the declared weight of their cars to appreciate that perhaps their desire to 'ensure' a good review would verge into the realm of the paranoid and obsessive...

...none so blind as those who will not see...

 

I personally think the journalist just wanted to create a stir and get his article read ... in this case he has been successful.

Nothing to see here, move along people ...
Pete
ps: Anybody that thinks a road test is 100% accurate is somewhat naive and maybe worrying about things that don't matter, ie. 0-60 times. A humanbeing writes the article ...

 

...unless of course the road test places the Ferrari first...THEN it's 100% accurate...!

 

Personally, i'm surprised that more Ferrari owners aren't demanding integrity and honesty from the manufacturer. If they are lying to themselves, the journalists and most importantly to their customers, then the brand itself risks ridicule. Better the truth, and the desire to do better in comparison to the competition than years of successive self-delusion...

 

Let me ask you something.

If you had a business and you had a reviewer go postal against you without presenting any real evidence (even if he's right) and post a massive hit piece against you, wouldn't YOU question his ability to be objective the next time you have a product you offer for review?

I sure as hell would.

So, why would Ferrari be any different?

Just WHO is descreting what he says? What we are saying is that his rant is misdirected and a hit piece for the sins of many against the one company he has a beef with.

Your post is incorrect.

Harris WAS a respected journalist. Now, he can no longer be seen as objective.

Worse, he's admitting to be part of the crime for all those many years reporting happily and taking a pay check while all the time knowing what he was reporting was BS in his mind.

 

Compelling evidence......again please elaborate, the fact they dont want customer cars being tested or the fact they send technicians or the fact they change tyres and brake pads, that to me says they want to observe the testing process and ensure that the ultimate performance of the car is obtained. Sure they do get all fussy with the media but then again look at advertising, do you think car makers would advertise in a magazine that has little good to say about its product...of course not, inherently there is meddling and involvement by all manufacturers.

Ask yourself, why publish this now? As for objectivity, read my prior post carefully...how objective would you be if you were flown to exotic destinations, put up in 5 star hotel, fed the best food money can buy and then handed a supercar to enjoy, I am afraid to say objectivity and motoring journalism dont belong in the same phrase.

My point remains, why single out Ferrari, had this been an article about the industry and this practice I would have been interested but this smacks of sour grapes in my opinion and nothing more. Good thing he can rely on Porsche to provide many more test dars...his bias toward Porsche is easy to see.

As for the glasses, come down to Africa....at every intersection there is someone selling any type you like.....

 

+100

 

Ummm... we are.

There's two issues here.

1) Does cheating take place?

The answer: Yes. And we don't like it. We'd like it cleaned up. All of it. From everyone.

2) Is the Harris piece fair?

The answer: No. He's not presenting any real evidence and at the same time pointing out one maker while letting others slide. It's a self professed "rant" that is not journalism. It's a hit piece. It's wrong.


The next time I read a Harris piece, I have to ask myself: Is he really reporting or is his bias for or against brands effecting what he says?

If you're a reporter, your credibility to be fair is your biggest asset. Unfortunately, in a moment of passion, he's tossed his away.

 

...grew up in Africa mate. That's where I learned that to survive integrity was front and foremost. You mention that the journalists are wined and dined....so, that is the 'reason' they should write a powderpuff piece....? Harris is describing something we all suspect, and giving several examples of bizarre behaviour to back it up. I think he passes the 'smell test' a bit better than Ferrari could. Having dealt with them for 20 years, to suggest they wouldn't stoop to stacking the deck for tests is absurd. Harris is saying that he feels they DON'T need to do it....and he's right.

 

Ah, but Ferrari has evolved to become as much a merchandising machine as a car manufacturer and Formula One team.

Ferrari has got to do whatever it takes to keep the Ferrari Brand Image unsullied and always in the lead.

Otherwise, who will want to spend an exorbitant amount of money to buy all those fancy logo'd hats, cups, and shirts Ferrari spews out?
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nobody is saying Ferrari dont provide assistance...what I am saying is everyone else does it too and this article singles out Ferrari, one must ask why? He mentions they dont need to do it but everyone else does....Strange that this article appears in the same week the new McLaren is launched.....amazing timing.

 

I was at my BMW dealership last month. At the checkout area was a store. In this store were BMW teddy bears, skateboards, pedal cars, toys and games, BMW pen sets, die cast models, and those awful hats, jackets, sweaters, and t shirts you talk about.

So, I guess BMW is just as bad, no? Those money grubbers! It's bad enough that a 3 series cost $40 grand but they have the audacity to sell a BMW cap at $12.95!

And, how horrible that people want to wear a Ferrari jacket or cap. Shameful.

Imagine -- those poor "non owner" people who can't afford a real Ferrari can actually wear some gear. It's disgusting. Poseurs!

Do you know why Ferrari has so much licensed material? Because they can.

 

And, that's the ballgame folks!

Go Steve Sutcliffe!

 

My point exactly, they flog their baubles because people feel it has a certain cache' which will somehow elevate them above the herd.

And WHY exactly do they believe that, eh?

One word: MERCHANDISING.

Ferrari is very protective of their cash cow.

The cow of course is not the car, but the Brand Name itself.

Don't misunderstand me, I do not condemn them for it.

Heck, I own a Ferrari cap, cup, and car.

But I see the game Ferrari is playing, as does Harris.

"Do you presume to criticize the great Oz?"

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyCCJ6B2WE[/ame]

 

I would say if there were a more mainstream amount of merchandising, Ferrari's profits wouldn't fall enough to be notable. It's because they can, you're right, whether they do it too much is a valid argument, but one that is not a relevant comparison to automotive sales, much less something that is intended to "elevate" the brand.

 

Wow. How stupid of them to want to protect what they've built. Assinine. Gosh, I glad Apple doesn't do it. They have such credibility.

Oh, I guess they do. Sorry.

Well, I'm sure no one from Hollywood would ever try to influence the Academy Awards.

Oh, I guess they do. Sorry.

I guess you're right. Ferrari should just go out of business. You'll be much happier not to have to be part of this marketing "sham".

That's not a herd. It's what are called "fans". Calling them a herd is nothing less than Ferrari elitism.

 

Whenever the gloves come off, I root for Bob. Just keep it above the waste gentleman.

 

Why would I want Ferrari to go out of business?

Every once in awhile I'll need to buy OEM.

 

If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying.



If you get caught .....


You weren't trying hard enough.





And all this over a silly-a$$ed car .........





DrS,

Where is that "Self-Owned Card" anyway?

 

I roll my eyes because this happens and no journalist can stop it. That being said, there's no reason it SHOULD be going on.

I'm not in the camp where cheating is a laughingly acceptable commonality.

Now, playing Devil's advocate one may say that altered performance statistics have a direct affect on competition, forcing over-development as to reach a fictional target, and thereby quickening technological development.

 

Re the 15 Feb date:
In case someone doesnt know:
This kind of "press embargo" as it is called, is very common, and as you will see, necessary in most fields. The press are given a chance to test, review, etc cars/phones/gadgets weeks in advance of release date, however are bound (signed agreement, and/or gentlemans) not to publish their articles until the official release date.
Thats why on the chosen date you suddenly see EVERYONE publish their articles at once. See all the MC12 reviews coming out, or the new Ipod etc reviews being on many tech websites all at once.
Its easy to imagine that its not practical for all of the world press to be given access just the day before the release, can you imagine the logistical nightmare? How would you give 100 reportes/magazines a chance to each drive 2000 miles in one day, or one track session? Thats why press review events go on for days/weeks, and by having a fixed future release date no one gets an unfair advantage.
So there is no point in berating MC for their industry standard embargo..
And how would this counter poor reviews? If you have a crap product, then by doing this you will just end up with a bucket load of crap reviews in one go, which is actually more devastating. So no point on that count either...


Back on the thread topic: I think the saddest part is the whole unneccesariness of Ferraris action, as clearly stated by CH.
If your cars are good enough, why bother with the smoke and mirrors, which will only detract from the quality of your product? Personally now if someone reads a glowing review of an F car, they would immediately put in a 20-30% credibility gap, which is a shame for Ferrari, for if the car is really wonderful, their actions have demeaned the quality of their own efforts by that margin.
And on a second note: as mentioned already if we cant trust the reviews totally, how do we get the info we need? People say test drives, but how many test drives can really reveal the near limits handling, nasty surprises, different surface/conditions, and comparative performances? Do you take a 997, Aston martin, MC12, gallardo, etc plus a skid pan, and enough cones to create a slalom course to every test drive with you? Can you take a two week long test drive, to get to know the car properly? I can imagine the look on the face of the salesman passenger, as you try to ascertain the on/off throttle, over/understeer adjustability of their new pride and joy on your 30min(if lucky) test drive!
The scariest part are the differences in initial reviews, vs historical perspective, eg a la 348, when new " is wonderful, wow" etc, then when 355 comes out, "348, what a pig, scary handling, shocking instability" etc etc. When will we see the scary stuff about the 458 come out? 5 years? 10 years?

 

bdelp:

This is not about manufacturers sending modified cars to the press for review. This is about control and manipulation, and how Ferrari is overstepping their bounds. The author makes specific references to practices Ferrari employs that other manufacturers do not. It is my opinion (and probably that of many others) that some of these practices are crossing the line -- way over the line -- of what is reasonable and fair.

Specific Example 1: Ferrari sends a whole team of people to babysit the car and journalist whereas other manufactures hand them the keys and say 'bring it back in a week'. Sure, numerous manufacturers send doctored cars to the press (that's as old as cheating in stock car racing; I don't think people here are so naive); but to not let the press have free reign with the car you send? That's interfering with and attempting to control the press. Ferrari's using 'wanting to optimize its settings' as an excuse is hogwash; It's not like these journalists aren't competent with new machinery, and Ferrari isn't supplying a test team to purchasers of new cars to follow them to the track.

Specific Example 2: Ferrari forbidding journalists to drive other people's Ferraris without their giving permission?!? REALLY?!? I MEAN, FKUCING REALLY?!?!. What RIGHT do they have? WHO the fu*k do Ferrari think they are?!? They don't OWN the journalists. They are WAY out of line. And if you buy their line about "car of unknown provenance" or whatever, then I agree with the person who said you need to remove the rosso-tinted spectacles.

These two points stand out above several others the author mentioned in the article. Again, Harris' argument -- and the basis for my comment earlier -- is NOT that Ferrari is trying to cheat to get better scores; it is that Ferrari is going WAY over the line in trying to CONTROL and strongarm journalists.

And that is shameful on Ferrari's part. It is wrong. It is the same type of wrong as a government trying to control its press . . . only very pathetic in this case because it is over something as petty and unimportant as the performance of a sports car.

My comment was relating this over-the-line controlling tactic to Ferrari's equally ridiculous and agressive pursuit of internet fan pages and crappy replicas: they are out of bounds, trying to force control beyond the limits of their rights, and they are the only ones going to the excessive degree they are taking it. They are claiming to be protecting their brand or their interests, and indeed they are and have a right to, but they are taking it too far and infringing on the rights and freedoms of others. (I understand and can see shutting down a replicar maker {although that seems very insecure, a waste of money, and potentially more damaging to your image than good}, but wanting crappy replicas seized as if they were counterfeit currency? Really? Doesn't seem to be hurting Lambo or Porsche sales or their image!) You start to look at Ferrari's actions together as a whole, and they are acting like asssholes; they have a poor attitude. And it's even uglier because of how aggressive and forceful Ferrari are about it -- it starts to look like intimidation.


This article by Chris Harris is one of the best pieces of automotive journalism I have read in years. The job of a journalist is to report on the truth, to make it known to the public. Ferrari's bullying tactics toward journalists have not been widely known, and Harris has exposed it. Good on him.

And regarding your (or whosever it was) comment that Ferrari treats the press like royalty and expects/deserves something in return -- that's just one more potentially wrong behavior on Ferrari's part. A manufacturer can be as nice as they want to whomever they want, and of course they are hoping it will cast a good light upon them and land them favorable treatment; but when hope turns to expectation -- when the person on the receiving end is pressured, manipulated, or no longer free to chose -- we call that bribery. We call that corruption. Ferrari can lavish journalists with the red carpet treatment all they want, but if they are expecting quid pro quo, then it is corruption.


MOST IMPORTANTLY, above his exposure of Ferrari's underhanded tactics, Harris made the overarching point that THE CARS ARE SO AWESOME THAT FERRARI DOESN'T REALLY NEED TO DO THIS, and that THIS KIND OF BULLSIHT WILL ONLY HURT THEIR IMAGE. And I agree with him, completely. I've never been a fan of "the brand" or cared too much about the company itself (I like some of the older cars and that's about it); but what appreciation and respect I do have for Ferrari continues to diminish the more I learn about the company today. They can make all the great products they want; if they're not nice, they're no good. Like it or not, Ferrari is very much about their brand, their image. They know this very well (as clearly do you), which is why they guard it so seriously. The whole point is that they are on the verge of shooting themselves in the foot; their aggressive tactics to defend their image can hurt the very image they are so vigorously trying to maintain.

NEWS FLASH/CLIFF'S NOTES: Most people don't like greed, corruption and bullying, which is what Ferrari's actions appear like. Most people value integrity and fairness. In their efforts to make themselves look like the fastest/best, Ferrari is playing the bad guy, and most people don't like the bad guy. Now that should settle it right there, but if I need to put it in terms of dollars to be understood, here it is: When people don't like, they don't buy.

 

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/archive/ferrari_f50-road_test

 

Another interesting article:

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1103_the_world_of_ferrari/index.html