Ferrari continues to perform well in sales in the Middle East despite the oil price slump, Ferrari Middle East and Africa sales director Giorgio Turri said yesterday.
Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Qatar Motor Show 2016, he noted that their 2016 waiting list for GTB and Spider models is almost full.
“We are very positive and looking forward to a very successful 2016 even if the business environment is not as brilliant as the past years,” he said, adding: “We stay on a niche of the market, which at the moment is not affected as much as the others.”
Turri and Alfardan Sports Motors general manager Charly Dagher led the Qatar debut of Ferrari’s 488 Spider yesterday at the annual event.
Last year, Ferrari unveiled two of its latest models in Geneva and Frankfurt. These models occupy a core segment of its offerings and have been very well-received in the region.
However, he admitted that the oil price trend affects the “general economics” as
reflected on other industries.
About the response of the Qatar market, he described their customers in Qatar as very passionate, demanding and always looking for something new, amazing and unique.
Turri said Ferrari has the capability to offer people exclusivity of a unique brand and the chance to customise their cars according to their own
expectations and taste.
Ferrari invests heavily on technology and innovation every year as part of its
commitment to the market.
“Innovation for Ferrari is a priority, it is a key value and we have taken the commitment to deliver to the market at least one new product per year and we are over exceeding this commitment,” the sales director said.
According to Turri, Ferrari has remained appealing to every market. “We used to say that we sell dreams rather than cars, we offer our customers the chance to realise their dreams.”
Turri said, “It is more than about entering a family than buying a car. Ferrari is about lifestyle, it is about gathering together with a common passion for brand and product.
“We give our customers the chance to join a full platform of [driving] activities on the road and on the race track with their own cars or with special cars that we can offer them.”