The Production of the Ferrari California

Production of the new front-engined Ferrari California has started. Manufacturing is taking place at Ferrari's brand new production line, the latest phase in the Formula Uomo program which started in 1997 to improve production, safety, and employee happiness. "Excellence is the driving force behind all of Ferrari's activities.We intend to create a working environment unlike any other anywhere in the world," says President Luca di Montezemolo. In 2007 the Maranello factory took home the European 'Best place to work' award.
Completion of the Formula Uomo is the new car assembly lines for the expected demand for the new model and a brand new restaurant. "With the addition of these two new buildings we have completed the renovation of the entire Car Production Area that began in the late 1990s and has involved the investment of over 200 million euros. Next year we will be going one step further when we begin work on the new facility for the Ferrari Formula One team," quoted the Ferrari President.
Mr. di Montezemolo said that the investment was about creating "user-friendly assembly" that increases the quality of the product and makes the experience better for workers. Ferrari says that the new line, on which cars are suspended rather than supported from below, reduces workers' movement by 60%, while increasing their available space by 20%.
The company, which has 2,800 employees in total, makes its vehicles on one site. Most of the 70 engines produced each day are destined for Maseratis, which is owned besides Ferrari by Fiat.
The Italian carmaker sold just under 6,500 cars last year in 52 markets, the U.S. accounting for the major share with 1,600 sales. About 1,000 were sold in the Asia-Pacific region and Luca di Montezemolo, president of Ferrari and chairman of Fiat, it's parent, expects those sales to catch up with America within five or six years.
Morgan Stanley said in a recent report that it expected Ferrari sales to hit 10,000 by 2010. The California will account for as much as 45% of the company's output by that time.
When Mr. di Montezemolo became Ferrari president in 1993, turnover stood at 230 million euros and the company made a 3.8 million euro loss. Last year, turnover hit 1.67 billion euros, producing a profit of 266 million euros. That figure is set to rise, giving Ferrari a pre-tax profit margin of 19% by 2010, according to Morgan Stanley, compared with 15.9% last year. If that happens, it would be more profitable than Porsche, which is thought to be the world's most profitable automaker.
Ferrari is not only known for it's cars that it sells, but for the cars it races. It funds its Formula One team through car sales, sponsorship and merchandising. Another growing number of Ferrari F1 stores is due to open on Regent St. in London in October. Guaranteeing the checkered flag may also help to convince potential buyers that it is worth waiting the average two years it takes to order and receive delivery of one of the world's most prized possessions.
Take care and I wish you a good day.

My sources of this information is worldcarfans.com and timesonline.co.uk.