Once again in 2008 Ferrari delivered results that beat all previous Company records. The strong Return on Sales (ROS) growth seen in recent years continued, reaching 17.6% compared to 15.9% in 2007. This was an outstanding result in the car sector in general and is especially impressive given the very tough economic backdrop against which it was achieved, particularly in the second half of the year.

This important result comes courtesy of Ferrari’s diverse range of products and strict cost-cutting measures. That said, investments in research and development increased, reaching 18% of revenues in 2008. Improvements and efficiencies also helped compensate for unfavourable dollar and sterling exchange rates.

In addition to the above-mentioned structural improvements, Ferrari also launched a range of major commercial initiatives in 2008, including the new One to One Personalisation Programme for its 12-cylinder models and a new client assistance programme. Ferrari also enjoyed strong growth in the Brand related activities (licensing, retail and e-commerce) with +28% overall, the e-commerce segment performing particularly well, as revenues there boomed by over 65%.

Commenting on the figures, Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo declared: “Ending 2008 with results unprecedented in the entire history of the Company is the best endorsement we could have of our strategy of exclusivity, innovation and focus on people. These results beautifully cap a truly exceptional year that saw us once again at the top in Formula 1, winning our 16th Constructors’ title, our eighth in the last 10 years.”

“The economic climate in 2009,” continued the Ferrari Chairman, “still remains very uncertain as the crisis takes its toll across the globe and it is hard to say how the situation will develop from here. That means, of course, that Ferrari will have to lavish even more attention on every single detail and continue to innovate whilst preserving the exclusivity of our products with respect to market demands.”

Ferrari ended the 2008 financial year with revenues of 1,921 million euro, an increase of 15.2% on the 1,668 million euro recorded in 2007. This rise comes mainly as a result of sales of the 430 Scuderia and the excellent performance of both the 612 Scaglietti and 599 GTB Fiorano 12-cylinder models which benefited from the launch of the One to One Personalisation Programme. The Ferrari California, however, made no contribution to the 2008 figures as the first examples are only being delivered to their owners in the next few days.

A total of 6,587 cars were delivered to end clients in 2008, an increase of 2% with respect to the 6,465 cars delivered in 2007. North America remains the Prancing Horse’s largest market with 1,700 cars (26% of the world total) sold there in line with the 2007 figure, a particularly significant result given the economic downturn there.
Sales to Eastern Europe continue to grow (+23%) while deliveries to the rest of Europe were in line with the results achieved last year.

Sales to the Middle East and South Africa continue to grow, with 366 cars delivered, an increase of 12% on the previous year’s figure.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Ferrari delivered 1,089 cars to end clients. Japan remains the primary market in terms of sales volumes with 433 cars delivered to end clients in 2008, an increase of 15%, while we exceeded 200 cars delivered in China for the first time, an increase of 20% on 2007 to 212.

On a further positive note, Ferrari returned a trading profit of 339 million euro in 2008, an increase of 27% on previous year’s figure.

The Prancing Horse’s licensing activities also enjoyed strong growth with revenues up by 35% in 2008 and the figures from the 25 Ferrari Stores worldwide were very positive with overall revenues increasing by 16%.
Ferrari also boosted its internet and www.ferrari.com activities in 2008. E-commerce grew by over 65% while a series of special events, including the launch of the Ferrari California and the unveiling of the new F60 single-seater, drew millions of hits from all over the world.

During 2008, Ferrari continued its investment into new car development, setting aside the equivalent of 18% of the Company’s revenues for R&D.
Ferrari also continued with its investments in safety in the workplace in 2008. It spent in excess of 4 million euro on structural work and specialist training, achieving major improvements in all areas of the company. Particularly significant in this process was the new “near-misses” alert system which actively involved company’s employees. Defibrillators were also installed throughout the Ferrari complex.

2008 also saw the launch of an in-house energy production plan. A newly unveiled photovoltaic plant and a trigeneration plant due to be completed within the next few months, will mean that Ferrari will meet all of its own energy requirements within the next year.

In terms of its workforce, as of December 31st 2008, Ferrari employed around 3,000 people, a little under half of whom are office staff.

Continuing its emphasis on people-focused activities, Ferrari also launched its Scuola dei Mestieri in 2008. This new programme is designed to provide training inside the plant which is not normally available outside Ferrari in specialist skills to allow our employees to enhance both their career prospects and professional development and improve their mobility within the company.

Ferrari also broadened the range of employee services in 2008. These now include special mortgage deals of up to 100% for first and second homes and renovations, banking facilities with very attractive conditions and discounts on school books for trainees and school children. There is also a preventative health plan featuring specialist visits, physicals for all employees and their children and free gym usage.

First, Ferrari tuning is unlike tuning other vehicles. Tuning your Ferrari means adding additional horsepower, additional stopping power and better handling. Your car already has the looks, now it’s time to ramp up the performance. Can you really increase Ferrari’s already substantial power? Yes, you can; Novitec Rosso has been doing it for years, transforming vehicles from a base horsepower of 400 up to 565 horsepower or even more, but there are also lots of other tuners to choose from. What does tuning your Ferrari involve?

First, like many other cars, a Ferrari can benefit greatly from a supercharger. In fact, most tuning companies outfit the various versions with twin superchargers. This results in enormous gains across the entire power band, rather than only in very high RPMs like a turbo. Supercharging a Ferrari can take that beautiful machine and make the vehicle’s speed capabilities truly match that sexy exterior.

If you add power to the vehicle, you’ll also need to add greater stopping power. The faster your Ferrari travels, the more friction is generated by the braking system. An upgraded brake system (rotors, pads and calipers) is vital to keeping your performance up to par. Cross-drilled or slotted rotors offer many benefits over simply installing larger solid rotors. These allow the superheated gas and pad debris to be vented through the holes or slots, rather than remaining trapped below the brake pad. Kevlar blend brake pads and ceramic brake pads have the best performance for this application, as well.

Another option for enhancing performance is the sport tuned exhaust system. Koenig offers a great system, with stainless steel construction, 70 mm pipes and much more. There are also several other manufacturers that can kick up your ride’s performance with a new exhaust system. The final thing to upgrade is the suspension. With additional horsepower, your vehicle will not handle as well as previously. Adding a sport tuned suspension can have huge benefits to your cornering. Koenig and Scuderia both offer high performance suspension systems that will do the job admirably.

So stop by Ferrarituningmag.com to be up to date with more Ferrari tuning programs from the best companies modifying Ferrari machines.

In addition to the One to One scaglietti personalisation program whereby customers can choose finishes, colours and accessories, planned for the entire Ferrari range in the future, there will also be the possibility of having your own custom series. Armed with at least two million euros, according to the source, the customer will choose a model currently in production and from this basis, his own car will emerge.

Ferrari is willing to built you your own custom series as long as you don’t ask them to build you an SUV, station wagon or sedans. Not to mention, your own custom model will have to use an existing Ferrari chassis, engine, airbags and other components.

So how much will you have to pay for your own custom-made Ferrari? $3.14 million. That’s a lot of money – however you’ll be given the bragging rights to own your own custom-made Ferrari and a guaranteed resale value at Barrett Jackson. You can basically get Ferrari to build you something like Ugur Sahin’s Passionata concept which is based on the Ferrari 599 Fiorano. Or you can always get some private coach builder to build you a new body for your Ferrari for much cheaper.

Chassis, engine and airbag will have to remain the same, while the rest can be exclusively designed and created, and all the materials will be delivered to the customer. No SUVs, station wagons or sedans are the only requests from the company, so putting paid to the rumours of recent months.

NOVITEC Rosso’s goal is not to make any fundamental changes to one of the most aesthetic automobiles on the road today, but rather to create an exclusive and extensive range of exceptional options for the discerning individualist. Quality awareness and determination, coupled with creativity and foresight, have forged NOVITEC into one of the most successful companies in the automotive tuning branch.

With highly trained personnel in more than 30 countries, NOVITEC’S skilled network deftly and conscientiously meets the wishes of the world’s most discriminating clientele.

Quality awareness and determination, coupled with creativity and foresight, have forged Novitec into one of the most successful companies in the automobile branch. The highly trained, highly motivated Novitec-Network personnel in more than 30 countries world-wide, conscientiously process the wishes of their numerous customers.

Some time ago, initially behind closed doors, a hand-picked team of Novitec technicians launched a project known as “Rosso F360″. The aim of this project, was not to make any fundamental changes to one of the most aesthetic automobiles on the road today, but rather to create an exclusive and extensive range of extras for the discerning individualist.

After undergoing many test kilometres on our high-tech test benches, the centerpiece of the program for the Ferrari Modena – the powerful Novitec Rosso bi-compressor engine – was born. A extremely precise, high-quality product, with breathtaking performance, aspires to convince even the purists. Functional, detailed solutions using only the finest of materials and a watchful eye constantly focused upon aesthetic design – these are the attributes upon which the whole range of accessories is based.

A continual development process and consistent transformation of the demands made upon us are of the highest priority, both now and in future. (source: Novitec Rosso). You can see lots of pictures on the Ferrari Picture Gallery and also some Videos of Novitec-Rosso cars.