Ferrari has announced that Sergio Marchionne will assume the responsibilities as CEO of the Italian company, taking over from Amedeo Felisa, who has served the position for 26 years. Felisa will continue to serve on Ferrari’s Board of Directors and will be a technical advisor to the company.
In an official statement, Marchionne said, “I have known Amedeo for more than a decade and I have had the opportunity to work with him closely for the last two years. He is beyond any doubt one of the best automotive engineers in the world. During the last 26 years, he has worked tirelessly to fuel and guide Ferrari’s technical development, producing an array of cars which have set the standard for both performance and styling.”
With this move, Marchionne, who is also Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) CEO and current chairman of Ferrari, will now free reign over the sports car maker’s future. This will allow him to increase Ferrari’s yearly output of vehicles up to 9,000 units by 2019. The strategic growth plan also includes expanding Ferrari in the luxury goods market.
While some may view such plans as “selling out” the company in the name of profits, it may be necessary to ensure the brand remains sustainable, considering it is now operating as an independent company. Marchionne orchestrated Ferrari’s spin-off from FCA that saw the company being listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Italian Stock Exchange (Borsa Italiana).
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Smh.. never heard of this guy. Jean Todt was CEO long time back, and Luca Di Montezemolo was Chairman. They called the shots. Amedeo is a relative nobody in the background since 2008, i.e. 8 years as CEO. He has been with the company for 26 years. Marchionne calls the shots anyway as CEO of Fiat SpA the owner of Ferrari.