Italie
Ferrari
Ferrari is an Italian manufacturer of sports cars and grand tourers founded by Enzo Ferrari (1898-1988), a racing driver and entrepreneur from Modena. Before producing cars under his own name, Enzo Ferrari had created the Scuderia Ferrari in 1929, a racing team associated with Alfa Romeo, for whom he had worked in the 1920s. The automotive company proper came into being in 1939, built its first car in 1940, and adopted its current name after the war. In 1943, under the threat of Allied bombing, the factory was moved from Modena to Maranello, in Emilia-Romagna, where the headquarters and production still remain today. The first car to bear the Ferrari name, the 125 S, fitted with a V12 engine, appeared in 1947, the year generally taken as the start of road car production. Competition success came quickly: victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949 and at the Carrera Panamericana in 1951, which forged the brand's reputation for excellence. In Formula 1, Ferrari became the most successful and the oldest team in the championship. In terms of ownership, Ferrari long belonged to the Fiat group, then to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). In January 2016, Ferrari was spun off from FCA and floated on the stock market: the share trades under the ticker "RACE" in New York (NYSE) and in Milan. Today, the main shareholder is Exor N.V., the Agnelli family holding company, while Piero Ferrari, the founder's son, holds a stake of roughly 10%, with the remainder publicly floated. The brand has no production plant in North America: all cars are assembled in Maranello. North America, particularly the United States and Canada, is nevertheless a major commercial market, served by a network of official dealerships, several of them in Quebec and Ontario.
ActiveLuxePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideEuropéennes
History
History of Ferrari
Ferrari is an Italian manufacturer of sports cars and grand tourers founded by Enzo Ferrari (1898-1988), a racing driver and entrepreneur from Modena. Before producing cars under his own name, Enzo Ferrari had created the Scuderia Ferrari in 1929, a racing team associated with Alfa Romeo, for whom he had worked in the 1920s. The automotive company proper came into being in 1939, built its first car in 1940, and adopted its current name after the war. In 1943, under the threat of Allied bombing, the factory was moved from Modena to Maranello, in Emilia-Romagna, where the headquarters and production still remain today. The first car to bear the Ferrari name, the 125 S, fitted with a V12 engine, appeared in 1947, the year generally taken as the start of road car production. Competition success came quickly: victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949 and at the Carrera Panamericana in 1951, which forged the brand's reputation for excellence. In Formula 1, Ferrari became the most successful and the oldest team in the championship. In terms of ownership, Ferrari long belonged to the Fiat group, then to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). In January 2016, Ferrari was spun off from FCA and floated on the stock market: the share trades under the ticker "RACE" in New York (NYSE) and in Milan. Today, the main shareholder is Exor N.V., the Agnelli family holding company, while Piero Ferrari, the founder's son, holds a stake of roughly 10%, with the remainder publicly floated. The brand has no production plant in North America: all cars are assembled in Maranello. North America, particularly the United States and Canada, is nevertheless a major commercial market, served by a network of official dealerships, several of them in Quebec and Ontario.
Public founding or origin of Ferrari.
125 S: launch or first listed period.
250: launch or first listed period.
F40: launch or first listed period.
LaFerrari: launch or first listed period.
Purosangue: launch or first listed period.
Testarossa: launch or first listed period.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Ferrari has historically been associated with high-performance V12 and V8 engines, either naturally aspirated or turbocharged. The brand has gradually embraced electrification: the hybrid system first appeared in competition (Formula 1), then on production models. The SF90 (twin-turbo V8) introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain producing roughly 1,000 hp, with three electric motors and a fully electric mode over short distances. The 296 pairs a turbocharged V6 with hybridization. The Purosangue retains a naturally aspirated V12. Ferrari is also developing its first fully electric car. On the chassis side, the brand relies on lightweight aluminum and composite structures, dual-clutch transmissions, advanced driver and traction-control aids, as well as sophisticated active aerodynamics inherited from competition. V12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo, of about 1.5 liters displacement, mounted at the front and driving the rear wheels, in a lightweight tubular chassis of purely sporting design for the era. Colombo V12 engine of 3.0 liters, about 300 hp on the 250 GTO, manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. Tubular chassis and bodywork crafted by renowned Italian coachbuilders such as Pininfarina and Scaglietti. Twin-turbo V8 engine of 2.9 liters producing about 471 hp, five-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. Lightweight construction in composite materials, without modern electronic aids, for a raw driving experience. Hybrid powertrain combining a naturally aspirated V12 of about 6.3 liters and an electric motor (HY-KERS system), for a total output close to 963 hp. Carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, dual-clutch transmission and rear-wheel drive. Naturally aspirated V12 engine of about 6.5 liters producing nearly 725 hp, in a front-mid position, paired with all-wheel drive and active suspension. A dedicated platform prioritizing interior space and comfort without sacrificing performance. Flat-12 engine (twelve cylinders laid flat) of 4.9 liters producing about 390 hp, in a mid-rear position, paired with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. Architecture inherited from the Boxer, with a body featuring a widened rear track.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
Iconic Italian manufacturer of exceptional sports cars and grand tourers, combining performance, exclusivity, and a racing heritage.
Reputation
Ferrari enjoys one of the strongest images of exclusivity and performance in the entire automotive industry. The brand is regularly praised by the specialized press for the dynamic behavior, the sound, and the build quality of its cars. The deliberately limited production maintains rarity and supports high resale values, with certain collector models (250 GTO, F40, LaFerrari) reaching record highs at auction. The reliability of recent models has clearly improved compared with earlier generations, but maintenance, parts, and model-specific tires remain costly. The general perception remains that of an exceptional object, more about passion and status than everyday practicality.
Strengths
Top-tier performance and dynamic behavior, racing heritage and prestige, exclusivity maintained through limited volumes, build quality and refined finishes, solid and even sharply rising resale values for rare models. The brand combines technical innovation derived from Formula 1, a strong sonic and emotional identity, and the status of a globally recognized object of desire.
Points to watch
Very high purchase prices and substantial costs for maintenance, insurance, parts, and tires. Low everyday practicality: limited interior space, ground clearance, and comfort on most models. Restricted availability, waiting lists, and a selective allocation policy. In Quebec, winter use is challenging (salt, snow, potholes) and requires a replacement vehicle or seasonal storage for many owners.
Models
Ferrari models
Current or active models by market
Notable past models
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Ferrari's industrial heart is located in Maranello, in Emilia-Romagna (Italy), where the assembly plant, development, and head office are concentrated. The historic Modena site and the Fiorano test track complete this hub. All production of road and competition cars is carried out there, following a philosophy of controlled volumes and industrial craftsmanship. Ferrari operates no assembly plant in North America: all cars sold in the United States and Canada are imported from Italy. The North American presence therefore relies on a network of official dealerships and authorized service centers, several of which serve the Quebec and Canadian market for sales, maintenance, and customization.
Tires and wheels
Modern Ferraris generally use large forged alloy wheels, most often 19 to 21 inches in diameter, with staggered fitments (wider rear wheels and tires than at the front) typical of rear-wheel-drive sports cars. The tires are very low profile with high speed ratings, often in model-specific sizes. The bolt pattern varies depending on the model. In Quebec, the law requires certified winter tires during the cold season: a second set of winter wheels, sometimes in a reduced diameter, is strongly recommended. Always verify the exact original size and certification before purchasing.