Geneva Motor Show Special: In conversation with Enrico Galliera

evo India: How has the Indian market been for Ferrari?

Enrico: Ferrari is looking at every single market with a long term approach and that is exactly what we are doing in India. We are not looking for additional quick volumes. We are looking for establishing our presence in the market. I have to be honest, in the past we had some issues with our partner in India so we had to establish our trust with the clients. So now we have two partners that have been selected because of their trust and respectability in the market. They are very well known people, which was exactly the objective; to have someone who represented the brand in a fair way. We are growing step by step and have already established a waiting list, and the objective is to grow on the long term.

evo India: You are happy with the sales numbers?

Enrico: Yes we are happy because we are able to deliver the cars that we want to deliver in the market. The good thing is that there are a long list of clients that are already connected to our brand in other countries because they also live abroad and now they are also starting to buy cars in their home country. Now they are becoming our ambassadors as they are spreading around the information about our cars and establishing the confidence.

evo India: Does this mean that you will be expanding your presence in India or will it be just the touch points you have right now?

Enrico: In terms of presence, I think that now we are where we want to be. We have one in Mumbai and one in New Delhi and I think that is enough. As soon as the market is developed enough, maybe we will have a service centre in the south of India to service our clients but we won’t be increasing our sales outlets because we want the partner to remain exclusive and have the size that correctly represents the brand.

evo India: Have you previewed the 812 Superfast to Indian customers?

Enrico: Not yet. We had a few clients who came to Maranello from India and the official presentation was at the Geneva Motor Show.

evo India: What is your most popular model in India?

Enrico: The sportscars. The F12 and the 488 so it is true that the current clients prefer the sportscars. Because of the infrastructure issues that don’t allow to drive a Ferrari sportscar everyday, the GT cars are also becoming popular. The California T is doing well. We have big expectations from the GTC4 Lusso, because being four-wheel drive, it is perfect for driving in every condition.

evo India: What is the difference between the profile of your customers in India and everywhere else in the world?

Enrico: Not just India but there are many differences from country to country. In Europe and in the USA where we have been for many years, the customer profile is a little bit older than in other countries. While in Asia, in India and the Middle East, the customer is a little bit younger. We have the new generation coming closer to Ferrari. It is nice to see that the customer profile everywhere is a little premium. We are not looking for people showing off, we are looking for people who drive their Ferraris.

evo India: You think that profile exists for the 812 Superfast as well in India?

Enrico: The Indian market despite being a new one is a market of connoisseurs. It means that the small number of clients we have are passionate around cars. Ferrari stands for 12 cylinders. Even though it is a little more expensive, in a country where there is this kind of passion, the 12 cylinder is driving the development, so definitely it will be a success in India.

evo India: Are the high taxes in India a stumbling block for you?

Enrico: The high taxes is a problem for the market. From our experience, wherever there are high taxes, there is a lower income for the government because people are buying less cars. So many Indian clients are buying cars in Europe, United States and Middle East because of the high taxes at home. So it is more of a problem for the country than for Ferrari. Frankly speaking, wherever there is increase in luxury tax, there is a problem for the income of the country. So it reduces the possibility for clients to buy these cars but where there is a passion, they will buy it.

evo India: How far do you go with the V12? What is the life of this V12 engine in the 812?

Enrico: Even with this car, there was a lot of speculation whether it will be a hybrid or a turbo-petrol engine. But this is our soul. The first car that when out of our factory in 1947 was a 12 cylinder. For us, the 12 cylinder engine is the history but it is also the future. So we will keep invested in the 12 cylinder.

evo India: Is there an increasing demand for hybrids?

Enrico: Hybrid is a technology that will drive the future. With the La Ferrari, we already have the technology. Currently in the factory, we are able to develop the naturally aspirated engine, we know how to develop the turbo technology and hybrid technology as well, so we have the expertise to combine the technologies in order to get the maximum performance. What is clear is that for us, hybridization doesn’t only mean reducing emissions. Hybridization means increasing performance.

evo India: Have there been any takers for the FXX programme in India?

Enrico: We have Indian clients who are participating in the XX programme. We have a second one that will probably start soon. This is exactly going in the direction I was telling you. There are clients in the country today who like to drive. People who know what it means to drive a sportscar, which is not buying a car to show off. This is not Ferrari. Ferrari is a car you have to drive and the XX programme was made to allow maximum emotion on track to the clients who want to experience it.

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