GTO: Factory Delivery?

Good friend of mine is off to the factory next week to take delivery of his GTO, has anyone done this and if so what was the experience like? I would imagine seeing as the car is a GTO the factory would put quite a lot of effort into the whole experience.

I should be a pretty special experience as he is going with a good friend and both are collecting their cars on the same day, albeit they arent expecting to be able to drive the cars.

 

In the past you had to send the money two weeks before you took delivery of the car. Very nice to have the strong factory connection when done in person with the arrival of a GTO. Maybe they will remember the customer names when they dole out the Enzo replacement cars...
Do you know the color combinations they ordered?
CH

 

Basically due to logistics its unlikely that either of them are going to be able to actually drive the cars but the cars are going to be presented them. Both cars are Rosso Corsa but details differ(brake calipers etc)

The 3 weeks on the ship are going to be very long indeed....Am fairly sure that the factory will make the event special.

 

Why cant they drive the cars? I thought part of the Factory delivery extra $$ was to give the owner a temporary license plate and insurance until the car is shipped.

 

Rosso Corsa always looks great, especially on a GTO! Thanks for the details , hope they don't sail through the Indian Ocean...
CH

 

That is how it's normally done-- presumably, this person doesn't want to drive the car. There are some hoops you have to jump through-- they will do the temporary plates, although the insurance they offer is liability only and a lousy deal at that. However, arranging insurance isn't that difficult.

Picking up any Ferrari at the factory is a special experience-- I can't imagine how they could make it more special than they did for me when I picked up my 612.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

 

Would be interested to know you thoughts on the factory delivery proccess, what exactly did it entail, would assume the car gets presented in some manner?

 

^^^
I agree

 

I thought it was fantastic!

First of all, it entailed jumping through a bunch of hoops. The factory had to approve the delivery (not trivial). In order to get the EE plates I had to fill out a bunch of paperwork and get the Italian consul to stamp it. I had to arrange my own insurance, I can't remember what else... it is true, you do have to wire the money some time in advance.

Once I got there, I had a very nice tour given by the head of logistics for North America and a factory sales guy. We ended up in the final assembly area, and my car was there, covered up, at the end of a row of new 612s all being prepped.

They had a photographer there taking pictures (which were subsequently sent to me in a nice leather book), and we uncovered the car, and they had champagne for a toast. The after sales guy (who joined us at the end of the tour) spent a bunch of time answering questions and explaining things to me.

We pulled the car out, drove it to the parking lot at the front of the factory, and all went to lunch across the street at Cavallino. After lunch, they gave me some keepsakes (a key ring, yearbook, and the "612 Across China" book), and sent me on my way. Because my luggage space was a bit limited, I had them ship the car cover and the charger separately, all of which arrived in fine shape.

All in all, it was a great experience. I think it's very cool that under "selling dealer" in the warranty book, there is a "Ferrari SpA" stamp.

Unlike Mercedes or BMW, they really don't have an organized program. The people who spent time with me all had regular jobs at the factory, so you can see how they can only do a few deliveries a month this way.

 

Wow, thanks for the detailed post! Sounds like an amazingly special experience, one of those things I think every Ferrari enthusiast dreams of doing in their lifetime!

 

From the donv story this was an interesting line>

I think it's very cool that under "selling dealer" in the warranty book, there is a "Ferrari SpA" stamp.

CH

 

Awesome story Donv

 

A Swedish friend of mine collected his 458 from the factory in May. It was handed over by none other than Luca Di M himself!

Luck of the draw I guess

The keyring leather is embossed with the words "Factory Delivery".

Most European customers who opt for the factory delivery choose to drive their cars home. The dealers typically register the car in the local country and go with the licence plates/tax disc to collect the vehicle - thus all insurance and registration requirements are taken care of beforehand.

In the old days Ferrari would provide Prova plates but now that it's a formal part of the delivery process and not just a favour it's handled differently.

Craig

 

My keyring is just an ordinary metal one with the Ferrari logo. It was an afterthought-- after lunch, they asked me if there was anything else I needed, and I mentioned a keyring.

They do provide the "EE" plates (which are tourist plates), but you have to do a bunch of paperwork yourself.

 

Now I'm pissed. I asked if I could take delivery of my California at the factory. I was told "NO." Now, I understand that a Cali is not a GTO, but...
I would have loved to take delivery at the factory!

 

Who told you "no?" The dealer? Did they ask FNA?

Many dealers seem to not want to do it, either because they think the customer won't follow through (which could affect their relationship with FNA), it's a hassle on their end, or they'd rather sell you something in inventory.

It is also true that Ferrari can only do so many factory deliveries each month-- and everyone wants their delivery in June, July, or September (they don't do August). If you want to take delivery in January, I think it's much easier.

 

I was in Maranello on October 20th and I was lucky enough to see my GTO in the first position of the production line on the second floor. It should be on its way to NJ now. That was very lucky timing and it was quite cool. More to come when she arrives...

 

The arrival of a new GTO sounds very exciting! Can you give us a hint; will it be Rosso Corsa or???
CH

 

Here you go...red with a white stripe.
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Thank you very much for the picture! That stripe has become almost the default standard option for the GTO. It has been the choice of many customers and the livery choice I like best. Can't go wrong with red for the rest of the GTO either...
CH

 

Mine is being done red with a black stripe. Definately can't go wrong with red and white either. Congrats!

 

Small update, my friend took delivery at the factory yesterday. Was in contact with him most of the day and his thoughts were as follows "F ing awesome, simply incredible" Basically the factory couldnt have both cars finished on time(his friend also went with to collect his car) but they sure made up for this with a full factory tour, including Classiche.

The car was presented at the end of the GTO production line, Ferrari provided a photographer, of course there was the hand over proccess. They were then taken to the other car, which was in the finishing department, also had a full tour of the GTO production line.

It may please some that it appears the factory still runs on Italian time , the whole process starting a bit late it seems....

They were given special factory delivery key rings which I thought was a nice touch, then they were taken to Montana for lunch.

Will get a more detailed breakdown of the whole event but by the sounds of things it was super special....both cars are going to be shipped.

 

When was this picture taken? Was it taken inside the factory?

Sounds pretty cool. Any pictures to follow?

Gr. Martin

 

Am sure I will be able to get pictures of the event. I forgot to add that they were also shown the 599XX production line, which is very near to the 599 one, I for some reason, expected the XX cars would be built in another part of the factory.

 

I just ordered my 2011 458 and have been wondering about picking the car up at the Factory. I have a couple of questions.

* Was there an addition cost, or is there a cost savings to pick the car up in Italy? I know at one time you would save enough to pay for the trip over there to get it.

* Does it effect the time to have the car landed in the US?

Thanks for the feedback on this!