FXX

Maranello, 15th June ‘ Ferrari has developed a truly innovative technical collaboration programme around the FXX prototype aimed at its most dedicated and passionate Clients.

The FXX is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello and its mission is to involve Ferrari’s most valued Clients as genuine Prancing Horse Test Drivers in their own right. The wealth of data and experience gathered in the course of this very special programme will be exceptionally important.
In fact, the feedback from these highly skilled, non-professional Client Test Drivers will be compared and supplemented with suggestions from Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and Ferrari’s professional in-house Test Drivers.

Every Client who signs up for the FXX project by purchasing one of the estimated 20 or so cars being built, will actually be joining Team Ferrari, and will have his driving experiences at the wheel of this new car monitored directly by the Prancing Horse’s technicians and specialists.

The FXX is the fruit of Ferrari’s know-how in building special limited-series sports cars combined with, of course, its racing experience. It will provide the basic framework on which the specifics of future extreme models will be worked out. The exceptionally powerful FXX delivers absolutely blistering performance on all fronts.

The FXX has not been homologated for road use and thus will not be a competition model. It will be used exclusively on the track as part of a specific ongoing research and development programme featuring this first ever group of Client Test Drivers.

The FXX is powered by an imposing 6,262 cc V12 engine that can punch out over 800 hp at 8,500 rpm. Its gearbox is the result of the transfer of F1 strategies, delivering gear change times of under 100 ms. This is almost as fast as the F1 single-seaters, themselves the absolute pinnacle of current technological achievement.

The FXX’s aerodynamic design is particularly innovative too as it has resulted in a shape that produces 40% higher downforce than ever achieved before. It is also possible to adjust the FXX’s mobile spoiler configuration to suit the specific circuit.

Ferrari’s partnership with Bridgestone has resulted in the development of a specific 19′ slick tyre for this particular model. Likewise Brembo has created a special brake cooling and pad system for the FXX’s extra large Composite Ceramic Material disc brakes.

The Client Test Drivers will also be able to share their unique track experience with a passenger ‘ in fact a second seat is available.

What really sets the FXX apart, however, is the sophisticated telemetry system which will monitor and give feedback on 39 different vehicle dynamics parameters in real time. The system is also able to record other data as demanded by specific circumstances.

The information gathered will then be analysed by the Ferrari technicians working on the programme and discussed with the individual Client Drivers to ensure that the car is kept constantly updated.

The FXX package also includes participation in a series of track events to be organised by Ferrari on various international-level circuits over the coming two years. On these occasions, an official team of technicians will be on hand to provide any assistance and support required by the Client Test Driver.

In addition to these truly unique official events, Clients will also be able to take their cars out on the track independently during private sessions. Clients wishing to leave their car at Maranello will be glad to know that the vehicles will be transported directly by Ferrari to the various European circuits for the scheduled events.

Given the car’s exceptional performance and the unique nature of the package, delivery of each FXX will also include an ad hoc driving course. The instructors will, of course, be professional drivers and the courses will take place at the Fiorano Circuit where Ferrari does its most important F1 single-seaters testing.

After the seat and the pedals have been individually tailored to each driver, there will be a traditional ‘shakedown’ followed by a training session dedicated to test driving methodologies.

After a careful client order selection process, the first FXXs will be delivered by the end of this year. The initial testing of the definitive car is currently taking place at Fiorano. The FXX and the relative package cost a total of 1.5 million euro (excluding taxes) and applications to join the programme are being evaluated by a special in-house committee.

F2005, FXX, F430 Challenge and the Enzo Ferrari close the World Finals
Copyright: Ferrari

Mugello, 23rd October 2005 – The Ferrari World Finals 2005 ended today at the Mugello circuit with the world track debut of the FXX and the F430 Challenge, a parade of Enzo Ferrari cars and the traditional demonstration from Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, with two F2005 driven by Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. It was a spectacular display. When it was over, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice-President Piero Ferrari, Managing Director Jean Todt, Vice-Managing Director Amedeo Felisa and the entire team took the opportunity to salute and thank the crowd of around 30,000 spectators who were there. The Brazilian driver, on his last appearance at the wheel of a Prancing Horse single seater got a particularly warm reception. Twenty eight historic Formula 1 cars and four 333 SP, all prepared by the Maranello F1 Clienti department took part in two specific track sessions. Among the cars a 1953 ex-Alberto Ascari 500 F2, a 1975 ex-Niki Lauda 312 T, a 1979 ex-Gilles Villeneuve 312 T4, two 1991 ex-Alain Prost F1-91 and four F2001. The competitive part of the programme saw the final races of this season in championships for both marques. A highlight was the world final of the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy, which was won by Michele Maceratesi (Motor/Malucelli.) He took the flag ahead of Nicola Cadei (Rossocorsa) and Vito Postiglione (CDP.) Germany’s Ralf Schaefer (Lueg Sportivo) took the “Mondialino” title for gentlemen drivers in the Shell Cup. Also on today’s card, the second round of races this weekend in the Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge, open as well to cars bearing the Trident emblem. In the end, victory went to Stefan Schollwock’s 1937 Maserati 6CM in the “A” category for single seaters, the 1957 Maserati 250 S of Irvine Laidlaw in the “B” group for sport and GT cars fitted with drum brakes and Patrick Stieger’s 1970 Ferrari 512 M in the “C” category for cars with disc brakes. Satellite broadcaster, Eurosport 2, will devote ample coverage of the Mugello event as part of the “Ferrari Racing” magazine programme, shown on 1st November at 19.30 and repeated on 3rd November at 18.30. 

World debut of Ferrari FXX at Bologna Motor Show
Copyright: Ferrari

Bologna, December 1st 2005 – The Bologna Motor Show provided the venue for Ferrari’s world unveiling of the FXX, a car aimed exclusively at a selected group of its most dedicated and passionate Clients, and around which a truly innovative technical client constructor collaboration programme has been developed.

This prototype, of which just 29 have been built, is the most technologically advanced GT car ever to emerge from Maranello. It will be used exclusively on track as part of a specific ongoing research and development programme featuring the first ever group of Client Test Drivers. The FXX has not been homologated for road use or racing.

The FXX is the culmination of Ferrari’s expertise in building special limited-series sports cars combined with its unparalleled racing experience. The FXX will provide the basic framework on which the specifics of future extreme models will be developed. The exceptionally powerful FXX delivers absolutely blistering performance: it is powered by an imposing 6262 cm3 V12 engine which develops over 800 hp at 8500 rpm. The gearbox is the result of the transfer of F1 technology and delivers gear change times of less than 100 ms. This is almost as fast as the F1 cars, themselves the absolute pinnacle of current technological achievement. The FXX has a dry weight of 1155 kg with a power-weight ratio of 1.44 kg/hp, and completed a lap of Fiorano in under 1’18”00 – a time which gives an indication of the sheer power and performance of this magnificent car.

The FXX’s aerodynamic design is also particularly innovative – with a 40% increase in downforce compared to the already impressive Enzo. Ferrari’s F1 tyre partner, Bridgestone, developed a specific 19″ slick tyre for the FXX., and Brembo created a special brake pad and cooling system for the 398 x 36 mm Composite Ceramic Material discs.

Another unique feature of the FXX is its sophisticated telemetry system which monitors and provides feedback in real time. The instrument panel, supplied by Magneti Marelli, is specifically designed for the FXX and incorporates a new data acquisition system. A video camera is also installed on the roof of each of the cars, pointing towards the rear, with a special TFT display on the dash removing the need for rear view mirrors.

The FXX package also includes participation in a series of 14 track events organised by Ferrari on various international-level circuits over the coming two years in Europe, North America and Japan (meetings at Spa and the Nürburgring have already been confirmed for 2006). On these occasions, an official team of technicians will be on hand to provide any assistance and support required by the Client Test Drivers. In addition to these unique official events, Clients will also be able to take their cars out on the track independently during private sessions. If Clients wish to leave their car at Maranello while not in use, they will be transported directly by Ferrari to the various European circuits for the scheduled events.

Given the car’s exceptional performance and the unique nature of the package, delivery of each FXX also includes an advanced driving course with tuition provided by the best professional drivers. Courses take place at the Fiorano Circuit where Ferrari conducts its F1 single-seater testing. After the seat and the pedals have been individually moulded for each driver, there will be a traditional “shakedown” followed by a training session to introduce the Client Test Drivers to test driving methodologies. The first FXXs were delivered in mid-November and the last will be with their owners by the end of April next year. The FXX and the relative package cost a total of 1.5 million euro (excluding taxes). Applications to join the programme were evaluated by a special inhouse committee.

The F430 Challenge also makes its Italian debut at the Bologna Motor Show. The new Prancing Horse competition car is derived from the 8-cylinder road-going berlinetta and will take part in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli single-series championship from the 2006 season on.

Ferrari has also reaffirmed the strong link between its GT and sporting divisions with the new F430 Challenge which is specifically designed to meet the expectations of its sportier clients. The F430 Challenge retains the same general look and 490 hp engine as the roadgoing version. However, it also incorporates a large number of significant track-oriented modifications and a host of new features not seen in the car currently used in the series, the 360 Challenge, which it joins on the track next season and completely replaces in 2007.

As ever, the transfer from Formula 1 is significant, particularly with regard to the braking system which uses carbon ceramic material (CCM) – a first for a Ferrari sports competition car. The electronic gearbox is also F1-derived and works in exactly the same way as the one used on the grand prix car. Thanks to a sintered twin-plate clutch and specific software, it also offers the same gear-changing times as the road-going F430 (150 ms). Fifth and sixth gear ratios have also been modified with respect to the road-going version, as has the final drive ratio, in order to make the most of the engine on all the circuits where the F430 Challenge will race. The new 19” slick tyres, developed specifically by Pirelli for this track model, are designed to comply with the very strict racing regulations that demand endurance whilst still delivering outstanding performance.

The F430 Challenge boasts a Weightof just 1225 kg (excluding fuel). Weight has been reduced in every area of the car: of particular note are the Lexan® windscreen, the all-carbon fibre intake plenum cover, and specific exhaust system. To ensure that drivers extract the full benefit of the car’s performance on the track, the E-Diff has been replaced by a mechanical differential and the EBD has been replaced with a mechanical system. Similarly, the stability control has been permanently disengaged, while the ASR can be switched off by the driver. All the other electronic systems have been set up in “race” mode, thus eliminating the need for the manettino switch. The ABS is always active.

Another important feature introduced in the F430 Challenge is the new steering wheel which has a quick release mechanism to provide easier access for drivers. The steering wheel also has buttons for communication with the pits, to set the pit lane speed and to interface with the new colour digital instrument panel. The rear of the car is characterised by the specific exhaust system which has high central tail pipes, and by the modified grille which increases the extraction of hot air from the rear of the engine bay. The anti-roll bars, springs and single-rate shocks have also been modified for racing use. The F430 Challenge also features new centre locking wheels and pneumatic air jacks for faster wheel changes in the pit lane.

The FXX and F430 Challenge are joined on the Ferrari stand at Bologna by the 2004 Formula 1 World Championship-winning single-seater, the 612 Scaglietti, and the coupe and spider versions of the F430. The latter two models have won a plethora of international honours between them, most recently prestigious German car magazine Auto Zeitung’s Supercar of the Year award. The F430 Spider was also named Supercar of the Year just this evening by BBC Top Gear, completing a well-deserved double for the F430 with the coupe version similarly honoured in 2004.

2005 was an important year for Ferrari both in terms of the company set-up and the new products it unveiled.

In April, the Ferrari Maserati Group was dissolved and ownership of Maserati was transferred to Fiat in order to allow the Trident to establish a closer technical and commercial relationship with Alfa Romeo, particularly on the major international markets. Nonetheless, Ferrari and Maserati continue to collaborate on an industrial level, and with regard to technical projects, engines and sales networks.

At the end of July, the Abu Dhabi government development company, Mubadala, acquired a 5% share in Ferrari from Mediobanca and was immediately committed to being an extremely reliable and stable partner with a range of exciting new business strategies to share. In early November, Ferrari and Aldar, an Abu Dhabi real estate company, announced an exclusive agreement to develop an innovative and exciting Ferrari Area in Abu Dhabi themed around the Ferrari brand.

In October, Ferrari also announced the creation of a new Sales Unit for the Asia-Pacific region which covers a total of 13 markets, amongst which are Japan, China, Australia and Hong Kong. The region has enormous potential for development and is extremely strategic for Ferrari which envisages commercial successes in coming years.

Finally, just a few days ago, Donato Coco joined Ferrari, replacing Frank Stephenson as the Prancing Horse’s Chief Designer. Coco will now have the task of stimulating and directing the creativity of Ferrari’s partners, including Pininfarina with which the Prancing Horse has enjoyed an exceptionally long and fruitful working relationship. 

The FXX wins the Eyeson Design Award
Copyright: Ferrari

Maranello, 13th January 2006 – The Ferrari FXX won the Eyeson Design Award as the best example of functional design at the Motorshow of Detroit. Seventeen of the most renowned international designers, including Chris Bangle from BMW, William Davindson, head of styling at Harley-Davidson and Shiro Nakamura, from Nissan, sat on the panel. The judges awarded the prize as the FXX was the car that best “expresses the functionality of design as an instrument to reach the objectives for which the vehicle was developed”. The FXX is a prototype destined to only 29 of the most loyal and passionate Ferrari clients. The project is part of a special collaborative technical programme between these clients and the Prancing Horse. The model is the most advanced granturismo produced at Maranello and is exclusively aimed at use on the track. It will form a crucial part of the ongoing research and development programme set up with this innovative group of ‘client-test drivers’. The car is not homologated for use on the road and is not expected to compete in races. 

Ferrari at the Auto Shanghai 2007
Copyright: Ferrari

Shanghai, April 20th 2007 – Ferrari is displaying both sides of its character to harmonious and complementary effect at the Auto Shanghai 2007. Its thoroughbred sporty side is represented by the limited edition Ferrari car FXX and the F430, developed using the F1 technology, while the enhanced version of 612 Scaglietti represents its technologically advanced GT side. On the stand, there is also the 599 GTB Fiorano, the latest arrival from the Prancing Horse and a stunning link between its Sport and GT sides.

All of the models showing at the Ferrari stand include personalization features that have become a Prancing Horse trademark integrated with new content designed to enhance both their natural elegance and driving-pleasure.

FXX
It is the first time that the FXX comes to China, which is an experimental prototype car and the most advanced GT ever built at Maranello. The FXX is the culmination of Ferrari’s expertise in building special limited-series sports cars combined with its unparalleled racing experience. The FXX will provide the basic framework on which the specifics of future extreme models will be developed.

The exceptionally powerful FXX delivers absolutely blistering performance: It is powered by an imposing 6262 cm3 V12 engine which develops over 800 hp at 8500 rpm. The gearbox is the result of the transfer of F1 technology and delivers gear change times of less than 100ms. This is almost as fast as the F1 cars, themselves the absolute pinnacle of current technological achievement. The FXX has a dry weight of 1155 kg with a power-weight ratio of 1.44 kg/hp and completed a lap of Fiorano in under 1’18”00 – a time which gives an indication of the sheer power and performance of this magnificent car. The FXX’s aerodynamic design is also particularly innovative – with a 40% increase in downforce compared to the already impressive Enzo. Ferrari’s tyre partner, Bridgestone, developed a specific 19″ slick tyre for the FXX, and Brembo created a special brake pad and cooling system for the 398 x 36 mm Composite Ceramic Material discs. Another unique feature of FXX is its sophisticated telemetry system which monitors and provides feedback in real time. The instrument panel, supplied by Magneti Marelli, is specifically designed for the FXX and incorporates a new data acquisition system. A video camera is also installed on the roof of each of the cars, pointing towards the rear, with a special TFT display on the dash removing the need for rear view mirrors.

The FXX Programme is based around the FXX. It includes a package of international-level events during which an official team of technicians provides a complete assistance and back-up service to an exclusive group of Ferrari Client-Test Drivers. The FXX Programme provides a unique way for the Prancing Horse engineers to develop solutions to be used on the Ferraris of the future with the help of the drivers. Track test sessions, driver debriefings and the use of sophisticated telemetry are all part of a typical FXX Programme working day. The FXX and the relative package cost a total of 1.5 million Euro (excluding taxes). Applications to join the programme were evaluated by a special in-house committee. This very small, highly select working group welcomed its 30th member at the Nurburgring outing in late 2006. That new member is none other than the great Michael Schumacher who demonstrated his commitment to Ferrari’s future with his purchase of his FXX. And at the end of June, there will be the first “Ferrari Festival” held in China. The F1 singleseater, the FXX, the Challenge, the classical and other fabulous Ferrari models will be displayed and demonstrated in the Shanghai International Circuit then.

The Grand Tourer
The cabin of the 612 Scaglietti is even more sumptuous and elegant than ever with meticulous detailing combined with significantly enhanced GT content. A new natural leather by Poltrona Frau available in the 12 colors in the current range has been used to trim the interiors. The process used to produce this particular leather makes it buttery soft and wonderfully elastic – as seductive to the touch as it is to the eye. The handcrafted leather interiors also feature new stitching and a new way of finishing the four seats and door panels. The range of cabin personalization options has also been further extended. Clients can enhance the atmosphere of luxury and exclusivity in their cars further by selecting from a choice of two different interior configurations, each one can be combined with light aluminum, burnished aluminum and leather inserts as well as carbon-fibre trim. Also making its China debut on the 612 Scaglietti is the Bose® media center: an innovative system combining radio, audio and video DVD, navigation, Bluetooth® and satellite radio. A TV tuner and rear parking camera complete the picture. The system also includes a digital 5.1 surround sound system and was developed specifically for the 612 Scaglietti cabin to ensure Bose quality sound at all times and under all conditions. In fact, the in-car audio quality is on the same level as the best home theatre units. The system also boasts other innovative features including U-Music® which organises and stores hours of music according to the user’s specific tastes. Visitors can test out the Bose® media center for themselves at the listening stations created especially by Poltrona Frau in the lounge at the Ferrari stand.

The 599 GTB Fiorano
The 599 GTB Fiorano was debuted in China during last year’s Beijing Auto Show and has earned great reputations. This car is quite simply the most innovative and technologically advanced mid-front-engined two-seater ever to come out of Maranello and is a new benchmark in terms of sportiness, driving pleasure and design. The 599 GTB Fiorano boasts absolutely blistering performance with its Enzo Ferrari-derived 5999 cm3 V12 engine which punches out 620 hp at 7600 rpm, has a power-weight ratio of under 2.6 kg/hp, a stunning Pininfarina-designed body and an all-aluminum space frame developed in collaboration with Alcoa. A range of cutting-edge innovations guarantee absolutely superior driving pleasure, handling and sportiness too. The result is a car that roars from 0 to 100 km/h in an astonishing 3.7 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in just 11 seconds.

The 599 GTB Fiorano also boasts a top speed in excess of 330 km/h. Courtesy of the ongoing transfer of technology from the Formula 1 single-seater to our road cars, the 599 GTB Fiorano is also equipped with two features that have proved enormously popular with its first owners: the F1-SuperFast gearbox which offers gear shifting in 100 ms, and the F1-Trac which optimizes traction. Both features make their debut on this model. The 599 GTB Fiorano also boasts other features which guarantee it superior standards of usability, ergonomics and safety: the SCM (magnetorheological fluid suspension system), developed in collaboration with Delphi, which guarantees improved bump absorption and body control, an enhanced manettino vehicle dynamics control switch, and a wind tunnel-honed body that yields stunning results in terms of downforce.

Every Ferrari built in 2006 was unique
Every single Ferrari delivered to end clients in 2006 featured some personalization features selected either from the “Carrozzeria Scaglietti” Personalization Programme or as once-off noncatalogue requests. The latest option to be added to the Personalization Programme is a new satellite antitheft system integrated with the car alarm supplied as standard and approved by all of the leading international insurance companies. Available for the main European markets, the new system consists of a CPU located in a well-hidden and well-protected area of the car, a GPS antenna and a transponder key. To facilitate the personalization process for each individual car, Ferrari has developed a very innovative car configurator to allow customers make their own simulation using their preferred options from the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Personalization Programme. The configurator is the most complete and comprehensive of its kind, covering every aspect of the Programme right down to the smallest detail. It will be available to clients on-line through the Ferrari Owners’ Site (www.ferrariowners.com). The sheer scope of the Programme means there is an almost infinite number of configurations possible for all the models in the range. Particular attention has therefore been paid to creating a user-friendly interface and to ensuring rapid and simple navigation through the many options areas available both for the exterior and interior of the cars. Ferrari is also introducing a number of innovations for this kind of on-line configurator. These include a full-frame zoom function which allows the user to view the cars in high resolution, and another function that enables clients to compare and contrast two different configurations simultaneously.

2006 – An excellent year
2006 was an exceptionally successful year for Ferrari. With Luca di Montezemolo as its President, Jean Todt as CEO and Amedeo Felisa as General Manager, the new Prancing Horse facility delivered a total of 5,671 cars, an increase of 4.8% on 2005. Revenues for the 2006 financial year equaled 1,447 million Euro while Ferrari’s trading profit of Euro 183 million showed a significant leap of 16.4% over the previous financial year. These results underscore the importance of the Ferrari brand to the Fiat Group which, in the course of the year, also bought back the Prancing Horse shares sold to banks, thereby increasing its stake in the company to 85% (the remaining 15% is divided up as follows: 10% the Ferrari family, 5% Mubadala). The 12.2% increase in Ferrari’s revenues was due in great part to excellent performance in North America and Switzerland (with deliveries up 6% in both), Germany (+8%), and new and developing markets (the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South America) which generated a significant increase in sales volumes. The Chinese market also performed exceptionally well indeed with the number of cars delivered there almost doubling in just 12 months. Ferrari continued to expand its brand development activities too, resulting in a increase of 23% in revenues in 2006, thanks both to new licensing contracts and the extension of our retail plan (there are now 13 Ferrari Stores and Shops worldwide).

1947-2007 – Worldwide 60th Anniversary celebrations underway
On May 25th 1947, the very first Ferrari, the 125 S, won the Rome Grand Prix, an amazing feat given that this was only the car’s second foray into competition. Today, with 14 World Drivers’ titles, 14 World Manufacturers’ titles, nine Le Mans 24 Hour Race wins, eight Mille Miglia victories, seven Targa Florio triumphs, and clients across over 50 markets worldwide to its credit, Ferrari is celebrating its 60th birthday. To mark this major milestone in our history, we have embarked upon the Ferrari 60 Relay which started on January 29th last from Abu Dhabi, the home of the soon-to-open Ferrari theme park. This tour will take a specially designed relay baton depicting 60 of the most significant events in the Prancing Horse’s extraordinary history, on a massive journey across five continents. The baton will be borne from destination to destination by over 10,000 clients at the wheel of cars of every model and era before the Ferrari 60 Relay draws to a fitting close in Maranello on June 23rd next. The relay baton arrived China in Feb this year with the 4 stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Xiamen, more than 70 Ferrari Chinese customers attended the great event. Needless to say, it received a spectacularly warm welcome in all of the above countries. Ferrari Asia-Pacific Region Ferrari Asia Pacific Division has been created with the clear objective to improve Ferrari’s position in one of the fastest growing economic regions in the world. Operative since autumn 2006, in addition to China where Ferrari is represented by a joint-venture, the Ferrari Asia Pacific unit covers 11 markets managed by independent importers: Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines. The main objectives of the Ferrari Asia Pacific Division are to maintain correct positioning of the Ferrari brand across the Asia Pacific region, consistently monitor and assess opportunities to support all markets in achieving sound growth, and effectively participate in the significant potential offered by the two continents in the region. A broad working team has been assembled achieving a well-balanced mix of personnel coming from Maranello who have a deep understanding of Ferrari products and brand values, and regional personnel who have invaluable knowledge of the individual local markets.

Ferrari in China
Ferrari and Maserati are both represented in China market by a joint venture, Ferrari Maserati Cars International Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., whose majority share is held by Ferrari S.p.A. The company was set up in Aug 2004 with the headquarters in Shanghai, and oversees all market expansion and sales network development, as well as technical support and spare parts procurement.

At present, Ferrari has built up a comprehensive sales and service network stretching across 10 major cities in China including Beijing, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. And Ferrari has officially started the special “Road Assistance” service program in China. The program covers all the Ferrari cars in China and is free of charge for the cars within warranty period. The customer can call a 24-hour hotline to get the repair, towing and other necessary service in time. This will not only enhance the services offered by Ferrari, but also strengthen the relationship between Ferrari and its customers. China is considered an important strategic market by Ferrari. In 2006, a total of 121 cars were delivered to Chinese customers, which represented an 85% increase in sales over the previous year. With the strong sales and service network, China is striving to become the 5th or 6th leading market worldwide for the Prancing Horse in the next 3 or 4 years.