Ferrari will expand its range of road cars, but not too much

By Joseph White

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Reuters) – Italian luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari NV Ferrari President John Elkann told an enthusiastic audience at the Pacific Coast golf resort that sales of touring cars are easy to drive, but would not seek to hunt. annual sales volume of his rival Porsche.

Elkann also reiterated that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, of which he is president, remains open to opportunities to combine with other automakers, but is in a position to remain independent. In May, Fiat Chrysler proposed a merger with the French car manufacturer Renault SA, but the agreement was broken following the intervention of the French government and the withdrawal by Elkann of the merger project.

Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley sent the same message to Renault and other potential partners earlier this month.

Elkann went to Pebble Beach during the Elegance Contest, in which wealthy collectors admire – and sell – some of the world's rarest vintage cars, and high-end manufacturers introduce new ones. exotic models.

Ferrari is best known for its flashy and high performance sports cars. Among the fans of vintage Ferrari, more discreet GT or grand touring, cars from the 60s, some of which can accommodate up to four people, are among the most popular models in the auction room and at the time of sale. events for amateurs. GT cars have been designed to be comfortable on long journeys.

Elkann hinted that Ferrari will unveil a new GT-type car in November. Ferrari said earlier that nearly 40% of its total sales could come from GT cars by 2022, up from 32% now.

Ferrari has announced its intention to increase its turnover from 5 billion euros in 2017 to 5 billion euros by 2022 by 2022. The company plans to add a model called the Purosangue to compete an increasing number of SUVs sporting high quality sports. car brands, such as the Lamborghini Urus.

Rival Porsche AG, a unit of Volkswagen AG, has increased sales to more than 250,000 sports cars and sport utility vehicles each year. Elkann said Ferrari was not targeting Porsche's level of sales.

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($ 1 = 0.9018 euros)

(Report by Joe White, edited by Diane Craft)