can ferrari survive in future?

I would be more worried about this:


http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=7186643

The Obama administration plans to raise fuel efficiency standards by 2 miles per gallon to 27.3 mpg for new cars and trucks in the 2011 model year, marking the first increase in passenger car standards in more than two decades.

Under the changes, which are slightly less stringent than those proposed by the Bush administration, new passenger cars will need to meet 30.2 mpg for the 2011 model year and pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and minivans will need to reach 24.1 mpg, an administration official told The Associated Press on Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak in advance of an announcement expected Friday.

The fuel efficiency rules are the first step in meeting a 2007 energy law that will require car makers to meet at least 35 mpg by 2020, a 40 percent increase over the current standard of about 25 mpg.

Passenger car requirements have remained unchanged at 27.5 mpg since 1985, drawing complaints from environmental groups that the government has been slow to push automakers to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles.

 

a regular C6 Corvette makes 30 mpg on the highway

So is F going to let Vette beat them in mpg ?

 

As long as there is an Italy, there will be Ferrari

 

You wouldn't if you understood it.

 

Explain then the Cali?

 

YOU COULDN'T BE MORE RIGHT!!!!

 

Agree about the regression to Ferrari in the 60's. It's possible that our current economic malaise could last the next 10 years, putting Ferrari's current fortunes in question. Currently, merchandising ("official" socks and such) makes up a huge percent of their revenue. That'll remain, I'd guess, but the current volumes may decline and stay down for some time. Given the investments they've made in R&D, production and F1, there could be a point in the not-distant future when they are broken.

If things do stay bad or get worse, I would see Ferrari's fortunes breaking one of two ways:

1. They become a super-niche player again, as they were in the 60's serving that era's clientele of millionaires. Ultra-exclusive cars, but possibly sharing some technology or components with a larger player. To get there would be unbelievably painful though and could require some sort of bankruptcy or buyout to downsize that far.

2. They go for volume. Blasphemous as it may sound today, they could bring the product downmarket a bit, offering less expensive Ferraris to a wider audience to amortize their costs more efficiently. Naturally, this dilutes the brand but last I checked, brands serve the greater business. If that's what it takes to stay in the black, Ferrari (and others) could do some surprising things.

 

Given the current prices they could move some models down market and still be the premiere brand.
You have to consider what the competition might be if there is a major shake down. Lamborghini is in an even more tenuous position. Aston Martin is extremely vulnerable. Maserati wouldn't survive without Ferrari's production/development support.

 

Ferrari isn't going anywhere. They will adjust to market conditions as they always have. They are a nimble operation that can make necessary changes much quicker than large cumbersome companies such as the Big Three. I will do all I can to give Ferrari my money in exchange for the thrill and pure joy of driving one.

 

Yep. Ferrari is a niche market, not your 'common' company like all those brand names listed such as Coke, Mercedes or McDonald's..

I wonder how Caddillac will survive, let alone the Hummer and truck makers. (rhetorical comment)

 

So, enlighten me.

 

Maybe Ferrari should dump the higher production lower cost philosophy some have mentioned and go for lower production higher cost. Of course this is not something that could be done overnight...but more of a long term strategy if the recession appears to be long lasting.

The uber rich, or majority of may be less affected by the economic turndown. Reports suggest that ultra high end items are moving at higher rates than in the past. Many Ferraris are financed by the upper "middle" class that rely on financing. The uber wealthy do not rely on the need of finance but can simply write checks. By building fewer cars at higher cost they could save on manpower and facilities and maintain margins.

I haven't seen any Veyrons listed in fire sales recently, maybe a few Reventons ...but those were mostly speculation purchases I would imagine

Just a thought.

 

They don't meet current CAFE standards, why do future CAFE standards mean doom?

They've already indicated the next generations should be lighter and more efficient, if not trimmer, let's hope they survive their own shortsighted avarice to actually achieve that.

 

The CAFE standards do not apply to cars produced over seas.

 

Say what?

 

It is the car of many hearts. So definitely Ferrari will survive.

 

Ferrari has always been about RACING. But if car manufacturers need to change to stay in business, then F-Cars will do the same. And with out Enzo in the picture to steer the team towards JUST racing this little car company will do what is needed to stay in business.

I will say this; the world has yet to see the fastest cars. They are coming. I have owned two Hybrid cars, electric cars and the way the power is poured on will far out strip the internal combustion engines acceleration lag. Don't believe me, test drive a Tesla car! No more waiting for the “Power Band” as short and annoying as it is. No Turbo lag, nothing but “Full On” from 0-12,000 rpm PULL!

Electric cars have other advantages, like the fact you can distribute the weight through the car better which will improve handling. No metal block at the front or back to have to compensate for. Future all electric cars will weigh less and in turn make them even fast.

But in the end, of all the things I will miss, it will be the sound. That will never be replaced!

 

0-100mph / 1/4mi

Ferrari 430: 7.9sec / 11.7sec(123mph)
Lotus Exige: 11.1 / 12.8(107)
Tesla Roadster: 12.2 / 13.2(103)

www.CarandDriver.com

...Damned pokey internal combustion laggards.

"Acceleration slows dramatically around 100 mph." [11,494rpm]

0-100/12.2s, 0-110/16.3

Car & Driver, Tesla Road Test, May 2009, p72

Uhm... Batteries not included?

The Tesla Roadster weighs ~800lbs more than the Otto-cycle Exige.

The motors may be lighter but ~200mile range means a half ton of batteries: Father Physics doesn't swallow PR Bullsh*t.

Do you know something about battery chemistry that the kids at MIT do not?

 

Am I the only one who hopes that turns out to be true!

 

According to Forza, 2008 was a record breaker. Revenue, profit, numbers of cars sold and non-car revenue all up.

Doug

 

If you honestly think that electric car technology wouldn't follow the same route of evolution that the internal cumbustion engine did if given the same funding and backing the last hundred years has brought to current cars, then I guess you will be fairly shocked in 30 years.

 

"US-based Moller International has been designing a flying car, called 'Autovolantor', based on a Ferrari 599 GTB model that costs £200,000. The company says the flying car would be in the market in just two years."

http://www.domainb.com/automotive/2008/20081103_flying_car.html
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Electric cars... they have been around since the 1900's. ---> http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=187711
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SSC Announces Electric Powertrain and Ultimate Aero EV Specifications
WEST RICHLAND, WA (01/22/2009)

http://www.shelbysupercars.com/news-012209.php


Shelby SuperCars (SSC) released today the details of its revolutionary All-Electric Scalable Powertrain, the AESP. SSC will incorporate its AESP into thecurrent Ultimate Aero to create the Ultimate Aero EV. Being the "World's Fastest Production Car," SSC decided the Ultimate Aero to be the perfect high visibility outlet to demonstrate the capabilities of its new Green powertrain. Directly following the debut of the Ultimate Aero EV, SSC will conduct a live media event to showcase the capabilities of its revolutionary Green powertrain.

SSC will display its AESP in the Ultimate Aero EV in order to prove that electric-powered vehicles will not only match but also provide more linear power (electric motors have 100% torque at 0 RPM) and overall performance than internal combustion cars. The Ultimate Aero EV utilizes a twin motor AESP producing an astounding 1,000 HP and 800 lb-ft of torque enabling it to rocket to 60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 208 mph. Not only does the Ultimate Aero EV have a range of 150-200 miles on a single charge, but SSC's "Charge on the RunTM" onboard charging system allows for full battery recharges in as little as 10 minutes. SSC's 3-speed automatic transmission transfers the Ultimate Aero EV's power to its wheels and achieves electronically controlled shift times of .24 s. The entire AESP is liquid cooled allowing it to run for extended periods of time at peak performance with no overheating issues.

SSC's Green division, SSC Green, Inc., will provide packaged solutions of its AESP to a wide variety of applications ranging from 200 horsepower for economy and midsize cars, to 500 horsepower for light trucks and SUVs, and up to 1,200 horsepower for delivery trucks, heavy-duty equipment, buses and military vehicles.

SSC expects to roll out its first full-scale, pre-production Ultimate Aero EV in second quarter 2009. Ultimate Aero EV deliveries will start as early as fourth quarter 2009. SSC will pursue the title of "World's Fastest Production Electric Car" and conduct a marketing campaign consisting of international motor shows, magazine articles, TV appearances and live media events. Most importantly, SSC will conduct a live media event at one of America's superspeedways to prove its claims. During this event SSC Founder and Lead Designer, Jerod Shelby, and notable guests will drive laps at high speed pitting only to demonstrate the quick recharge times. SSC asks any interested media to send a request to [email protected].

 

When did they last say that? I remember that spiel at least ten years ago.

Yeah, have photos of electric phaetons on Sydney Australian streets just after the turn of the century.

 

It will not: The technologies are apples and oranges.

I'll ask again: Do you know something about battery chemistry that the kids at MIT, the boys at NASA, and the rest of us do not?