Ferrari trying to take over ferrari club

THIS.
It's all about finding victims.

Marcel Massini

 

When the owner of a SUV whos interior is filled in large part with plastic and skye-like leather can be the member of the same "club" as the owner of a handcrafted truly italian product built and designed with pride by a tight knit group of legendary engineers - there is something completely wrong. Hence why many clubs would be better off without affiliation.

The future of the brand has nothing to do with what has been. It is something completely else. If Ferrari takes control, the clubs will end up with Hublot wearing members in brightly colored oversized Philipp Plein hoodies and space boot looking shoes bearing some sort of so-called "creative" interpretation of the Prancing Horse design, but will mostly resemble the arts and crafts homework assignment of a color blind 5 year old. This will only strengthen the independents further!

 

The BRAND. What was once in the beginning, shall evermore be true- the BRAND.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

As a last resort can't the FCA cut all ties with Ferrari SpA. If necessary, we could change the name to the Italian Car Club and limit membership to owners of Ferraris. Let the dealerships fend for themselves just like any other brand. It's sad that Ferrari SpA wants to turn into Big Brother. I don't think Enzo or Luca would approve of this approach.

 

il Commendatore must be turning over in his grave!

 

Ferrari was, is, and always will be a hugely ARROGANT company. That comes straight from Enzo himself. You know things are bad when the main dealership (in the UK) forbids people from taking photographs in its showroom ! There are a lot of people out there who resent Ferrari's "volte face" from ignoring enthusiasts (whether owners or not) to suddenly milking them for every penny. The Classiche scheme is a good example. Ferrari's land-grab on the official clubs will prompt lots of alternative / independent clubs to spring up. (Certainly wouldn't be the first time in the UK).. No doubt Ferrari will as usual come out swinging with lawyers etc - but maybe one day they'll get the comeuppance they so richly deserve.

 

Let me be the first.

The SCNA (SAAB Club of North America) would welcome all members under our soon to be created Ferari (Spelling like that on purpose) branch. Dues are around $60 a year and there is no oversight or interference. Our annual conference, the SOC (SAAB Owners Club) is inexpensive although we are welcome to the idea of you guys setting up something nicer and more expensive.

Just keep it in mind.

Lester

;-)

 

Lol ! I suggest we go one better. Let's start a rival car-making company with an Italian sounding name (lots of syllables, and ending with the letter i) . We'll hire approachable, down-to-earth dealers - who will be very friendly to anyone who takes an interest in our cars. There are lots of small villages near Maranello where we could build our factory. This would A) annoy Ferrari and B) allow us to poach some of their disgruntled and recently-departed employees (eg senior engineers). The company logo will be some kind of fierce animal - to take on the prancing horse. Oh - and if someone wants to start a club: the very best of luck to you...

 

I read the entire letter with growing incredulity. I can't believe people who have spent their life restoring, perfecting and judging these cars have been excommunicated from the Ferrari events. This is a terrible decision.

 

I believe Ducati is doing a similar thing in the UK with dealers taking over Ducati Club area groups. Is this where the brands see their future???

 

100% correct. Only design logos or an unclear affiliation presented to the consumer would cause trouble. The case at play would be the knockoff supreme court decision back in the 80's where a company was knocking off perfumes and colognes and had the tagline "If you like Giorgio, then you will love XX". The big perfume companies sued and lost at the supreme court. The decision reinforced the idea that the consumers interest comes first. Even though it was about comparisons to have the consumer informed, the underlying case was that it was in the consumers interest to use/see a brand name for their own use or comparison, even if commercialization of a products name was used, in print. This is where creating a new logo (for a club) with the Ferrari name would cause trouble and the words "FerrariChat.com" would not.

Start a new club, call it "The New Ferrari Club" , don't create a logo, use a typeface font and do all the things you like to do. Be free, love your car, have fun with other like minded people, and don't worry about the "official" corporate Ferrari Club. If the membership of the FCA leaves, moves to the new Ferrari Club, puts a board together, holds events, has meetings, etc. and it is in the best interest of its members, then that's the freedom we all enjoy. FerrariChat is a message board for us to share whatever we like to share, including organizing our own rally, organizing our own events, even meeting up to party. I don't need the FCA for anything really.

 

FOC....................................Already in place..........................Very long history...............................not owned by FCA????

 

And, I will freely give up my 3 digit membership number!

 

Been a member for 45 years.

 

youbetcha

 

Ferrari of... Canada, Colorado, Chat,?

 

Ferrari Owners Club

 

Ahh.. that works too. Cars previous owner, Robert Rehkopf was a member I believe.

Do I need to sacrifice another virgin to join?

 

Isn't FerrariChat.com already a Ferrari club?

 

FOC; a very early, California based club; full of interesting cars and people.

 

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I was a member for a number of years. Can't remember why I didn't stick with them.
I did like their annual directory.

 

Yes and it could yet happen. No reason at all FCA has to stay affiliated with Ferrari and if it becomes more trouble than not I suspect that exact thing will happen.

BTW Luca did do exactly this a number of years ago so don't start trying to paint him as a saint this many years later.

FCA used to have a letter dating back to mid/late 60's from Enzo thanking the club for its dedication to the brand and in effect giving them permission. Problem is it got "lost" so that evidence is gone.

 

Sheehan had it mostly wrong. Ferrari had nothing to do with it. It was 100% Canossas doing. Ferrari is in fact pissed about it. Canossa threw Ferrari under the bus for something they did not do and made them look bad.

 

And a huge percentage left when FCA Pacific Region was formed. Big falling out.