Ferrari chairman Luca Di Montezemolo to quit after 23 years

This topic is being discussed quite extensively here.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/f1/460091-major-ferrari-rumors.html

 

I'll be a voice of one here, but I think this is potentially great news.
Why all the handwringing over the departure of Montezemolo?
For everyone complaining that Marchionne's prime interest is in increasing cash flow, my repost would be that it's the ONLY thing Luca has managed to do well in his time at Ferrari.

Ferrari's reputation is now and has always been based on racing, primarily F1 & sports racing. Montezemolo has failed miserably with the racing program. Without success there, the mystic will eventually dissipate. People here seem to forget, Enzo was pretty ruthless in pursuit of racing success. Given his performance, Montezemolo would never have survived half as long if Enzo were alive today.

For my part Montezemolo has transformed Ferrari from a company focused on building great sports cars to one focused on selling "status". Ferrari World? Ferrari shoes? Ferrari cologne? Ferrari Classiche? All profit centred B.S. as far as I'm concerned.

Limiting production is just a means of maintaining "exclusivity". It has nothing to do with building enjoyable driver's cars. Moving down market is a problem? Too much production? Really?? Would building 7000 "new Dinos" priced somewhere between the Boxster & 911 kill the name, or add aspirants by bringing in younger buyers?

Capacity? Unless things have changed since last year, the Bugatti Campogalliano plant is still empty and quite nearby.

Frankly, I find Ferrari has become pretentious, elitist, and overbearing under Montezemolo. Don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out Luca...

 

Bad news for LDM. I would like him to stay.....
He made Ferrari a really strong brand around the world.

 

Guys, it's worse than we thought.

EXCLUSIVE: Ferrari's New 'Americanized' Lineup Has Leaked

 

There's something appealing about the 458 Rebele.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

HA!

 

I think it's the welded doors.

 

HAHA Biggest laugh of the day!

Change is good. 23 years is a long time for any one person's vision to be carried out.
LdM has done so much for the brand and now it's time to move on. The old Ferrari mystique WILL live on through F1 no matter what. HST 'Americanizing' a company with such a large American customer base is inevitable, just as The California and FF were inevitable (love the concept, hate the execution on both models).
So far, current production increases haven't hurt the value of earlier models. Further production increases will only improve reliability and parts availability (both good things).

I've always thought a throwback V6 DINO offered with a 'gated shifter only' for about $100K would the home run with purists, posers and the board of directors.

Let's hope they're listening.

 

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What's not to like?

Look for Fiat Abarths with Ferrari badges next year. "A REAL Ferrari for $30,000!" Then he'll do the same thing with Chrysler.

I fear it's the end of the second time.

The first ended with the 308 and mass production. The second Luca married limited mass production with marketing. Now, its just marketing.

 

The longtime Ferrari chief has told friends, “It’s the end of an era,” according to Corriere della Serra, and that “Ferrari is now American.”

My interpretation of this remark is that there is an underlying concern that the new "era" will be focused only on making money, not on increasing the passion for the cars as a route to profitability. It is a not-so-subtle difference.

 

You have to love the 458 Eagle, or should we call it Kitt. Where is David Hasselhoff when we need him?

 

It's the end of the line for Ferrari as we knew it.

 

and I believe that's what was said when Enzo passed.....
we'll have to wait and see how things develop

 

This was my favorite post so far. Both funny and full of truth. Great way of summarizing the events that transpired today.

 

Nicely said.

Also remember Luca was the one that lodged the blade between Schumi's shoulders when he felt MS was getting more important than himselfness.

Live by the sword...

 

Sergio had 90% of Ferrari and must have been looking at the way VAG has made a fortune from its luxury marques through segment extensions. He probably also wanted more Ferrari input on the Maser and Alfa brands (Audi is 20% of VAG's sales but 40% of its op pbt).

Luca probably told him to piss off, that Ferrari is too special. The dismal F1 performance became the excuse for Serg to clear away a formidable obstacle to future world domination.

Sadly it's the way of the world, globalisation......how ironic Ferrari will finally be owned by a US company after 31st Oct, years after Ford had first tried.

Bet Ferrari will move to follow Porsche and Bentley ranges. Bet we get much more Lambo/Audi type sharing inside Fiat Chyrsler. I think all this makes the 458 Speciale the last performance car launched under Luca's wonderful tenure?

 

The Dodge Dart "Ferrari" edition.

"Don't touch my Ferrari!" ads are being prepared.

 

Sergio's plan for saving Chrysler is looking at what "worked" in the past.

After all, "Maserati" sales tripled in one year doing this.
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There is a difference here. It's about saving Chrysler and Fiat now. It's not about making Ferrari better.

 

they'll finally address the "sticky" buttons embarassment.

 

Just put my order in for one with a special "General Lee " paint job.

YEE HAW !

 

This means more Ferraris in the market.

This means a Ferrari SUV soon.

This means Ferrari parts being most likely cheaper to replace, especially for you americans.

This means more Ferraris on the market.

This means more people having access to USED Ferraris that will be easier and cheaper to maintain.

Nobody buys a Ferrari to be really a part of a club, unless we talk about 250 GTOs or LaFerraris. Those who buy a Cali, a 599, or an FF, are looking for a car they can USE.

with a great engine that can deliver performances and emotions. Who cares if you will see 3 of them instead than none, every day ? U have the same performances and emotions.

UNLESS you're telling me you want something that nobody can have, in this case you're egotistic.

Way to go, Marchionne. Way to go !

 

Ferrari could have become today's Team Lotus. It didn't because LDM was there.

Will it become Lotus now? That depends on the execs on Chrysler's board of directors.

I'm not hopeful

 

I don't like Marchionne's response after Luca Di Montezomolo's interview, he feels greedy for his position.