999th Ferrari delivered in Shanghai today as Italian firm marks Chinese sales success.
“Ferrari is celebrating its best year of sales in China with a special celebration in Shanghai. The Italian firm sold almost 300 cars in China in 2010, and marked the occasion by bringing together more than 15 Ferraris in front of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai.
The firm also marked the delivery of a 458 Italia to its 999th Chinese Ferrari customer, Johnson Zhang. In China the number nine – ‘jiu’ – is a symbol for longevity and excellence, hence why the firm elected to mark its 999th Chinese client.
Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa was in attendance, adding, “For Ferrari, China represents the present and the future. It is a great country where we continue to invest. I’m convinced that in a couple of years, we’ll reach sales of 500 cars per year, a number equal to established European markets.”
Tellingly, many young Ferrari owners under the age of 40 attended the event. Most are new entrepreneurs who represent the major growth demographic for the Italian firm’s future cars.
Ferrari has been working to ensure it retains a high profile in China. Just over a year ago the artist Lu Hao created a unique 599 GTB art car, while the Ferrari HY-KERS made its global debut at the Shanghai World Expo.”