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Car Forum / Ferrari Cars / October 2003Uh-oh... (360 Frankfurt? 580 Berlin?)
The following article appeared in Der Spiegel on 19 Sept 2003 "From the co-operation just agreed upon between Volkswagen and Ferrari a lot more could easily follow - a participation of the Wolfsburg company in the Italian sports car manufacturer, who also owns Maserati . At present Ferrari is a subsidiary of the beleagured Fiat company. Should the latter plunge further into crisis and need fresh capital then the Wolfsburgers - for an appropriate price - would be ready for a takeover of Ferrari. Already firmly agreed between Volkswagen boss Bernd Pischetsrieder and Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo is that Volkswagen components of its jeep platform Touareg will be supplied to Maserati for use in its own off-roader. Volkswagen company Audi will also support Maserati with technology and know-how in the use of aluminum. In return Volkswagen wants Maserati wants to supply the platform of the Quattroporte on which to possibly base a successor for the Phaeton . From this co-operation both enterprises can profit. And should Ferrari once be for sale, then there's hardly a way past Volkswagen." -- Http://www.redmist.freeserve.co.uk > The following article appeared in Der Spiegel on 19 Sept 2003 Never. The Ferrari division of Fiat is, as has been the case in recent years, comfortably profitable and in need of no assistance whatsoever. Otoh, the Maserati division appears to be nothing more than a playtoy for Ferrari, or even a nuisance, despite the nicely turned out cars they've produced. I could see Montezemolo offering up Maserati to VW as the sacred cow, meanwhile receiving assurances from the Fiat morons that Ferrari itself will never be touched. But, worse things have happened, I suppose. I just can't see anything in the current model line that could benefit from VW's heavy-handed touch. I'm hoping that my idea of what this is all about is what this is all about. MC "...who never sleeps, waiting for those precious Duffin posts..." > And should Ferrari once > be for sale, then there's hardly a way past Volkswagen. Uh-oh (as you said)... I'd hate that. Although it is held by Fiat, Ferrari has always been very independent, but this would for sure not last if it were integrated into VAG. This can be seen with Lambo, which is now merely a division of Audi. Apart from that, I admit that I really don't understand VAG's brand strategy: they bought Lambo, Bugatti and Bentley, they developed GT prototypes branded VW and Audi, and now they're lurking at Ferrari-Maserati. Seems to me that they encourage competition between their own departments instead of attacking their real competitor, i.e. Pork, but again I'm not an automotive market analyst...  SignatureJ.C. The answer is probably never. The reason is due to Italian law. The details are out there for those who want to research (i.e. not me). I've read a few things about Ferrari going public or Fiat selling its majority share and any such transactions are apprently restricted by the Italian government in various ways. The gist seems to be that majority stakes in large Italian companies are not open to foreign investors. Ferrari will (probably) be Italian forever. That's socialism for you. Chris Signature#include <disclaimer.h> cm007i@hotmail.com > Ferrari will (probably) be Italian forever. That's socialism for you. > > Chris And THANK GOD for that! MC <<And THANK GOD for that!>> Which god? Vulcan? <g> C. > <<And THANK GOD for that!>> > > Which god? Vulcan? <g> > > C. I'm pretty sure MARS is my favorite God. > > <<And THANK GOD for that!>> > > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > I'm pretty sure MARS is my favorite God. He makes a decent candy bar, and his ears look better... :-o -Matt- "..." matt borland wrote: > He makes a decent candy bar, and his ears look better... But don't piss him off. MC <<I'm pretty sure MARS is my favorite God.>> It's not really a matter of *favorites*, hon. Besides that, I don't think you're nearly as bloodthirsty as you want to be. How's Sweetie? C. > It's not really a matter of *favorites*, hon. Besides that, I don't > think you're nearly as bloodthirsty as you want to be. > > How's Sweetie? > > C. Yeah, it's tough to be a wannabe psycho, but I still wouldn't bet against myself in a fracas. Of course, your Smugness, you *would* frame those two statements together to amplify the first one. I can't be Angry Mike when talking about my baby. She is very well, the finest 9 year old feline in all the lands. I made a mention of it in a previous post, so I'm not going to go overboard. MC - what did she expect me to say: "f.ck the cat! I want blood! BLOOD!" <<Of course, your Smugness, you *would* frame those two statements together to amplify the first one.>> Ya think? <<I can't be Angry Mike when talking about my baby.>> Ain't that the cutest thing? <<She is very well, the finest 9 year old feline in all the lands. I made a mention of it in a previous post, so I'm not going to go overboard.>> Oh, come now. That's like saying that we could hear too many good things about Ferraris. <<- what did she expect me to say: "f.ck the cat! I want blood! BLOOD!">> Heh. C. If Ferrari was taken over by Volkswagen I would be very disappointed. How and why could Luca even consider this? One of the things I appreciate most about the marquee is its pureness, everything on Ferrari is genuine Ferrari! The thought of my beloved cars being churned out of production lines in Germany makes me cringe. > The following article appeared in Der Spiegel on 19 Sept 2003 > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > -- > Http://www.redmist.freeserve.co.uk > If Ferrari was taken over by Volkswagen I would be very disappointed. > How and why could Luca even consider this? One of the things I > appreciate most about the marquee is its pureness, everything on > Ferrari is genuine Ferrari! The thought of my beloved cars being > churned out of production lines in Germany makes me cringe. Well, THAT would never happen no matter who is the absolute owner. You do know Ferrari is owned, outright, by FIAT, don't you? MC Yes, but you don't see new Ferrari cars being made with a fiat parts bin. God knows what VW would do to Ferrari if they were in charge, Volkswagen is a disgrace to German Engineering. > > If Ferrari was taken over by Volkswagen I would be very disappointed. > > How and why could Luca even consider this? One of the things I [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > MC > > If Ferrari was taken over by Volkswagen I would be very disappointed. > > How and why could Luca even consider this? One of the things I [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Well, THAT would never happen no matter who is the absolute owner. You do > know Ferrari is owned, outright, by FIAT, don't you? I thought they already sold a chunk of it to some German banks.....(thereby preventing Luca from floating part of it about which he was mightily pissed!) <<One of the things I appreciate most about the marquee is its pureness, everything on Ferrari is genuine Ferrari!>> And you know it too because all the replacement bits come in spiffy, yellow boxes! <g> C. :::who wraps Yule gifts in them::: |
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