Ferrari faces backlash over first electric car Luce
The Story
Ferrari’s first electric vehicle, the Luce, has drawn criticism from investors, some public figures, and online commenters following its launch. The car, priced at €550,000 (£476,000), features a design led by former Apple executive Jony Ive and has been described as “polarising” by Ferrari’s CEO. The company’s share price fell 8% after the unveiling.
Key Facts
- The Luce is Ferrari’s first electric vehicle and its second four-door model, and the first with five seats.
- The car has an electric motor for each wheel and accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds.
- The pastel blue launch colour drew comparisons to the Nissan Leaf, a mass-market electric car costing £32,250.
- Critics include Italy’s transport minister, Matteo Salvini, and former Ferrari leader Luca di Montezemolo, who led the company for 23 years until 2014.
- Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna stated the car is intended to be “polarising” and aims to appeal to people outside the core market.
- The design is minimalist and Apple-esque, with concealed aerodynamic features, and the car’s height is 4cm shorter than Ferrari’s SUV Purosangue.
- The article notes that opposition to electric vehicles has become a common reactionary theme, referencing a similar backlash to Jaguar Land Rover in 2024.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
The article does not confirm how many buyers the Luce will attract or whether the backlash will affect sales.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Benedetto Vigna – CEO of Ferrari
- Jony Ive – former Apple executive, led design
- Marc Newson – collaborated on design
- Matteo Salvini – Italy’s transport minister
- Luca di Montezemolo – former Ferrari leader (until 2014)
- Angus MacKenzie – international bureau chief at MotorTrend magazine
- Rhodri Darch – co-CEO of Everrati
Sources: The Guardian
