Meatball-Themed Ferrari Aimed At Japan
Ferrari abandons its trademark red for a limited-edition version of the California 30 convertible targeted at the Japanese market.
In tune with local paint-job preferences, the California 30 Giappone is white on the outside. Ferrari’s red remains on the inside, thereby supposedly “taking a cue from Japan’s national flag,” as The Nikkei [sub] claims. The 4.3-liter V-8 engine propels the vehicle in 3.8 seconds to Japan’s legal highway limit of 100kph and provides it with a highly illegal top speed of 312kph.
Ferrari aims to sell just 10 units at 30.9 million yen ($310,000) a piece. No complaints from Ferrari about the allegedly closed Japanese market.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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"No complaints from Ferrari about the allegedly closed Japanese market." Because Ferrari isn't a volume seller that needs tens of thousands of sales to stay profitable. And because it's a desirable luxury good Japanese will want their hands on regardless.
When I lived in Yokohama I had a neighbor who owned several Ferraris that he kept in the basement garage of our apartment building. I was told he was a music producer or something. White seemed to be his preferred color. I'm guessing he is already in line for one of these...