Do you think.......

No. How's that for pithy?

 

Keep hope alive!

but nope

 

No, but since I'm in the market I sure hope so!

Forza,
Kevin

 

I don't believe so. I think doing well can boost a company's sales (Renault's recent success was mentioned, and Ferrari's last few years) but I think the effect of shifting back in the pack takes a long time to affect a car company's market. Ferrari is on a major demand now, selling 17k 360s and guaranteed to sell buckets of F430s... and not to mention maintaining a 3-car lineup with two V12s currently. It's gonna take a while for this momentum to stop.

I also believe that a very, very, very small percentage of Ferrari buyers will be attracted to Ferrari in the first place by F1 success.

 

Nope, nope , nope and nope!

And everyone, please learn how to spell 'definitely'. it's a pet peeve of mine.

Yours truly,
Former 8th grade spelling bee champ.

 

Nope. And the fact that the factory is cranking out more than they ever had won't affect prices either. The following equation is still true:

# of asses > # of Ferrari seats

 

Right you are. In fact, most are not even attracted by the performance. It's all about the bling. Ferrari is the ultimate poseur marque!

 

But... the fact of the question being asked is significant. I too have been wondering. Perhaps in the close world of FerrariChat we are sensitive to downturns in our favourite brand's image, where others are not and for the reasons expressed in this thread.

Nevertheless, Ferrari having won an historic number of Grand Prix in modern times, now that they are doing badly their loss stands out more sharply. The press have been kinder to Ferrari than I had expected and not exulted at the fallen, being distracted by the excitement of the competing teams at the top.

Each year. on the day that Ferrari scooped the world title, Ferraris were out in force in towns around the world, parading their joy and waving the flag. This, and the general feeling of success, probably encouraged people to dream of sharing success vicariously. You can dream about owning a Ferrari. If Renault win, good as their cars are, you do not dream of owning one.

So I believe that Ferrari will suffer, slightly and subtly, if there is more than one year of bad racing. Everyone expects Ferrari to excel year on year, where other marques are remembered for a single good season. Ferrari itself my head further down one route they have taken, of offering a greater gamut of 'softer' cars. I may be wrong on this and I hope I am. They could also toughen up their image in order to obliterate recent disappointments. Which goes to show that I don't know!

 

no, it has been my expirence that most (not all) but alot of the "new" car buyers don't even watch f-1.

 

I think the lack of success in the current season will have more of an effect on sales of Bridgestone tyres.

 

Interesting question though. Can someone do some research...did the sales drop when Ferrari was not doing well in the 80s and early 90s?

I don't think Ferrari purchases are affected by anything other than design...in fact, when Enzo passed, I think the team wasn't doing so well, and my 308 was worth close to $100k...yikes.

 

I don't think a bad season or two will affect the market: however, if it becomes the norm, or if Ferrari ever stops racing altogether, then the marque would suffer from severance from its unique roots and heritage! No swipes against Lambo, but to me they are just exotic road cars without the racing history like Ferrari, Alfa, Maserati, Auto Union, Mercedes, Jaguar, Porsche!

 

Ferrari's largest market is North America, where Michael Schumacher is less well known than contestants on "Survivor".

Even PSA doesn't seem to worry about losing sales on Citroen or Peugeot commuter boxes when they drop WRC in '06.

"Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday", came from an era where the steet cars and the racers shared parts ... other than just the badge on the nose.

This is why everyone is worried about the costs of racing: It's all "throw-away" technology, these days. Nobody is using racing to improve street cars, when manufacturers are getting rich selling re-packaged trucks to the public. Even the X5 and Cayanne are just prettified pick-ups.

 

I don't think there will be much impact. Ferrari will still have won 5 of 6 drivers titles, and 6 of 7 constructors championships. Anyone who follows F-1 will know that, and those that aren't racing fans won't care one way or the other.

Additionally, it isn't exactly like Renault has any production cars that compete with Ferrari.