There will be a “fundamental shift” in Ferrari NV’s cars beginning in 2019, according to chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne. The Ferrari boss on Monday said most, if not all, of the famed Italian brand’s cars starting then will include some sort of hybridization.
“The cycle of cars that will be launched from that point on will include by definition hybridization,” he told media and investors during a conference call Monday. “I think it’s a mandatory requirement.”
Marchionne has previously discussed the need for Ferrari to “embrace the hybrid world” but had not put a timeframe on the plans, which he said include “a fundamental shift in the way in which Ferrari is going to be architecting its cars.”
Aside from the economic-friendly benefits from hybrids, Marchionne said Ferrari will use a combination of combustion and electrification “to provide unique powertrain combinations that will yield even additional performance on these vehicles.”
Ferrari used the electric-combustion combination for the LaFerrari, which debuted as the company’s first “hybrid” car in 2013. It also unveiled an open-top version of car called the LaFerrari Aperta in September at the Paris Auto Show.
Only 200 of the hybrid convertible sports cars will be produced for privately-selected owners, with an additional nine others produced for use by Ferrari during its 70th anniversary celebration in 2017.
Marchionne said there was no “devious” motive, such as the company selling the vehicles for a profit in the aftermarket, to keeping the nine limited-edition cars.
“This is something we need to take very seriously,” Marchionne said. “People invest in these cars, and they invest a substantial amount of money, with the comfort of knowing that the house is respecting its limits on production.”
Both LaFerrari models — the most high-performance and efficient Ferrari ever built — combine a 120-kW electric motor with a V-12 engine for 949 horsepower; more than 663 pound-feet of torque; and maximum speed of more than 217 miles per hour.
Ferrari isn’t the only automaker betting on hybrid models for its next-generation of sports cars. The McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 also combine the benefits of electrification, including instantaneous torque, with internal combustion engines.
Marchionne’s comments were part of the company discussing its third-quarter earnings of 113 million euros ($126 million), up 20 percent over last year.
On the strong results, Ferrari raised its estimate for full-year earnings before interest, taxes and amortization to above 850 million euros, from above 800 million euros previously. It lowered its estimated debt at year’s end to below 700 million euros.
“We’re pleased with the results we’ve achieved; it is a record quarter for Ferrari.” Marchionne said. “We have no bad news to report, at least on the commercial side (referring to its racing operations).”
Ferrari confirmed its forecast of shipments for the year at around 8,000 units, with revenues above 3 billion euros. Ferrari shipped 1,978 cars from July-September, up from 1,949 during the same time frame a year ago.
Ferrari shares on the New York Stock Exchange were trading up 7 percent midday Monday to more than $54.50 per share.
