The Prancing Horsepower

When you hear the name Ferrari, what springs to mind? A roaring V12 engine? The iconic prancing horse crest? Or perhaps a sleek scarlet supercar zipping past you on an Italian coastal road? Beyond the glamour, Ferrari’s story stretches from humble racing beginnings to a high-performance luxury empire—complete with jaw-dropping revenues, famous patrons, Formula 1 glory, and cutting‑edge innovation.

From Racing Roots to Road Royalty

Ferrari’s journey began in 1929, when Enzo Ferrari founded Scuderia Ferrari in Modena as an Alfa Romeo racing team. By the late 1930s, he had broken away to create Auto Avio Costruzioni—initially producing machine tools and aircraft parts—before crafting the first true Ferrari-branded car, the 125 S, in 1947 in Maranello. That same year, Ferrari scored its first racing victory, setting the stage for an enduring legacy on the track. Through the 1950s and 60s, Ferrari consolidated its status. Collaborating with coachbuilders like Pinin Farina ensured cars with both speed and style—early classics like the 212 Inter and the legendary 250 series became instant icons. Meanwhile, the marque piled up racing wins—World Sportscar Championships, Le Mans titles, and Grand Prix victories under Enzo’s leadership.

Going Public and Scaling the Brand

Ferrari went public in 1960, restructuring as Ferrari S.p.A. A brief flirtation with Ford in 1963 ended with Fiat swooping in, taking a 50% stake in 1969 and later growing its influence. Enzo retained a small share, passed later to his son Piero Ferrari. Under leaders like Luca Montezemolo, Ferrari expanded road-car production while preserving exclusivity—launching halo cars from the F40 to the LaFerrari, and strengthening motorsport performance (Michael Schumacher era, anyone?). An IPO in 2015 spun Ferrari out of Fiat Chrysler; today it trades on Milan's FTSE MIB and Europe’s Euro Stoxx 50.

A Luxury Lion: Revenues & Exclusivity

Ferrari doesn’t build for volume—it crafts luxury. In 2024, the company shipped 13,752 vehicles—a modest 1% increase over 2023—but generated a whopping €6.68 billion in revenue (up +11.8%), with a net profit of €1.526 billion and a healthy EBITDA margin of ~38%. Pure cash flow exceeded €1 billion, and shipments are intentionally capped to preserve exclusivity.

The average selling price? Eye-watering: in 2023 it hovered around €374,000, and analysts expect it to skyrocket to nearly €500,000 by 2026. And don’t forget the tail of personalized options—through “Tailor Made,” clients create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. This isn’t customization—it’s haute automotive couture.

F1 DNA and Motorsport Mastery

Ferrari’s road and racing DNA are inseparable. Enzo once said, “Ferrari sells cars to fund racing”—a principle that still drives the brand. Scuderia Ferrari, founded in 1929, is the oldest F1 team, and the only one to endure through every season. Under Enzo’s reign, the team secured nine Drivers’ Championships and eight Constructors’ titles. Today, Ferrari continues to invest heavily in racing—recently returning triumphantly to the World Endurance Championship, winning Le Mans in 2023 and 2024 with its 499P. The fervent “tifosi” fanbase remains legendary, painting grandstands red in stadiums worldwide.

Innovation: Hybrids, SUV—and EV on the Horizon

Ferrari’s future is hybrid—and maybe fully electric. In 2024, over half its models were hybrids (SF90, 296, Purosangue SUV, V12 grand tourers). CEO Benedetto Vigna aims to introduce the company’s first fully electric Ferrari. Customers are even offered cryptocurrency as a form of payment, with purchases converted instantly to euros.

Why Ferrari Still Thrives

Ferrari stands today as more than a luxury car brand—it’s a meticulously crafted legend. It marries racing heritage with ultra-luxury, exclusivity with personalization, and timeless design with cutting-edge tech. By keeping production limited, pricing high, and personalization profound, Ferrari remains not just relevant, but revered. As 2024 showed us, Ferrari can grow profits without flooding the market—luxury and mystique intact. Whether on the racetrack at Monza or in a collector’s private garage, Ferrari continues to ignite hearts and dreams around the globe.