Ferrari will take over distribution of its cars in Australia from next month in a move intended to help the brand engage more closely with its customers.
From April 1, Ferrari Australasia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrari SpA, will directly manage the distribution of Ferrari vehicles in Australia and New Zealand, taking over from European Automotive Imports (EAI), which has been responsible for the brand since 2005.
The local division will be headed by Herbert Appleroth (below), the man also responsible for Ferrari’s in-house distribution network in Japan.
Ferrari SpA senior vice president of commercial and marketing Enrico Galliera explained the move was part of a larger strategic operation to bring distribution in-house in mature markets where the marque is already well established.
“Ferrari has a long history in Australia and New Zealand which has seen our brand dominate the hearts of sports car owners for more than six decades,” Galliera said.
“Today is a historic day in the rich fabric of the Ferrari brand in this important area of the Ferrari world.”
Ferrari Australasia confirmed EAI, a subsidiary of Ateco Automotive, would continue to manage the Sydney dealership based on the organisation’s strong relationship with Ferrari and its customers and in-depth knowledge of the brand and its products.
Registrations of new Ferraris dipped to their lowest level since 2005 last year, with just 98 prancing horses leaving local showrooms – down from an average of 134 vehicles per year between 2007 and 2011.
