If you owned Ferrari what would you do?

build a LeMans/ALMS P1 category killer

 

Not possible if it isn't a Diesel. Regulations HEAVILY favour Diesel cars.

 

then diesel it is

 

-Fire the designers and get people that understand what good-looking means. Computers shouldn't be the ones that determine the looks.
-Require that 51% of all cars come with a 6-speed gearbox.
-Once the Hotwheels contract runs up, only allow Minichamps/PMA and higher grade manufacturers to make model Fcars.
-Limit companies that use the Ferrari logo on non-relevant products. I don't want Ferrari logos on crap that doesn't deal with the company just for the sake of making money.
-Cut production of cars from current numbers.
-Increase production of parts for discontinued models to keep older cars on the road.

 

agree with all of that except the 6-speed "quota"

 

I nominate you to run Ferrari... Immediately!



Joe

 

One more thing:

Every Fcar purchased with a 6-speed will come with a custom tailored pair of driving shoes. F1-transmission owners will not get this since they only use one foot. Don't even try to convince me of your Schumacher left foot braking style!!!

 

You are correct. 51% is way too low.


Joe

 

F1 buyers could get a right driving shoe and a left Gucci loafer

I left-foot brake just like Schumi...in my Jeep

 

Bring the Dino back as a turbo charged 4 or 6 cylinder.
Produce a AWD Ferrari (No SUVs)
Solve & correct the massive engine fire issue.

 

I would have 5 types of products,
Extreme luxury GTs like the 599 612 etc,
Fast exotics for road and track F430
Volume cars for those who just want a ferrari(california.)
Trackday cars for enthiusiast serious about driving.
Limited Hyper exotics AKA enzo etc.

I would stick with the california, it is a car to satify the poseurs while taking pressure off the real exotics which can then be bought by entusiasts.

I would make sure that there is no waiting list more than 2 years for the v8 midies, the california would help this situation. Dealers who play games with legitimate buyers would loose their allocation.

Make a small ferrari track car ala lotus exige. say 1500lbs with a 355 type motor. All the bits already exist and as a track car it need not comply with street regs, this would make simpler R&D and provide real drivers and ferrari enthusiasts with something they really can use for a somewhat reasonable price. The future is track and trackable cars. This would then free up production for poseurmobiles and provide the brand with real cred again.

Apart from that ferrari is going the lightweight route which will yeild exceptional performance.

 

I'd have every dealership hang the following sign:

No posers
No "instant status seakers"
No speculators
No garage queens
NO WHINERS!

 

i would start making good looking cars again.

 

Hire Italian Car Designers that build cars with nods to past models.
Badge 8cyl cars as Dinos
Build no more than 3,000 examples of any model
Zero licensed products manufactured in China
More one off models like the P4/5

 

Start a separate brand name of cars focused on personal luxury and make the new California the first model in that series.
Perhaps "Lusso" or "Elegante" as part of the brand name. Maybe "Ital Lusso" for instance?
These would be higher-volume cars with full-automatic transmissions, cruise control, cup holders, GPS/stereos, etc.
Everyone would know these cars come from Ferrari and have that halo effect, just like we know Lexus is made by Toyota and Acura is made by Honda.
Future models for this new brand could be a 4-door sedan and even an SUV cross-over type car.

This would keep the Ferrari brand pure as a sports car company focused on high-performance and GT cars.

 

They already did this. They call them "Maserati" or something.

 

If I ran it?


Increase production immediately. Put together some lower-cost hardtop only variant of the California. Start work on a Cayman-level competitor. Remember at all times that the goal of the company is to make a profit. Disregard internet chatter about "lost exclusivity" -- those who are truly in the market for exclusivity have plenty of other options. Remember that the name Ferrari has to be in the public eye so that the coffee-shop keychain flashers can feel good about themselves. Consider buying into the next Bond film so that Our Hero can cruise in a California. Continue component sharing with other marques and look at increasing that sharing. Investigate Chrysler intellectual property and see if there's anything there that can be incorporated.

Oh, and I'd have Bernie assassinated.

 

Lol! Ive been doing that since I started driving 12 years ago!

 

Seriously... Those are ALL good ideas.

 

change policy to build ONLY special one-offs, with help of coachbuilders like pininfarina, fioravanti, zagato, touring and van den brink. i would even revive vignale if i could

 

I'd test drive the cars in the ferrari museum...

 

Point to the Pagani factory and ask the team why on earth that small group of people make more desirable cars.

 

Stop 2+2 production save for a V12 2+2 cabrio, transfer to maserati, as well as a 12 for the QP
Stop V8 production, leave to Maser.
Twin-turbo direct injection V6's in ME cars, equivalent performance to 430 or better. CF bodies across line.
All F1, but stick as paddle switch for flat earth society. Teach them how to turn and shift in school below.
Apologize for California, use top on Granturismo, and apply California tag to a V12 with real soft top.
Continue making cars useable daily, make obvious options standard-photochromic mirror, iPod, bluetooth.
Ignore forum complaints, make money to not go TU like Aston, etc.
ME V12 and FE 12 range toppers both
No shoes, no gloves, no hats. Driving school included, owner's butt in car 3 days straight until owner stinks like pig and has maxed out car. Make owner use his own car, toss in tires and transport to nearest track for them. They break something by stupidity, their nickel. Full service after school, discounted if non warranty needs.