The New California, Ferrari Debuts 485 Italia, Waiting List

For the release of the highly anticipated California, Ferrari is taking over the waiting list.  All dealers are required to submit an initial interest list.  Once the cars are introduced at the Paris show in October, all dealers will be asked to move the people from the interest list to the waiting list.  He does not know how the pecking order will be chosen.  There are 70 – 100 Ferrari of Washington customers who are interested in the Ferrari California.  They anticipate getting 35 – 40 total Ferraris per year and with over 200 names on the list a customer might expect to wait 3 – 5 years to get a car. 

This explains why the resale market for certain current exotic cars is so hot.  Cestero has located a Bugatti Veyron for another client too anxious to wait for a new car, and is waiting for the deposit.  He does not see the signs of a recession from his clients.  “One of my clients spent $300,000 on a sweet 16 party.” His client reasons that if he doesn’t spend it, he won’t be helping to keep the economy going.”  Cestero sums it up by saying “The people that have the money, they will continue to spend it.”

...Cestero says that even though they may have many customers that can afford them, not just anyone who has the means will be allowed to buy one.   They want them to be someone who has owned and continues to own several Ferraris, a true collector rather than a speculative investor.

Ferrari has increased production since the 90’s, but with all of the emerging markets of today, this does not begin to handle the world wide demand for the cars bearing the prancing horse emblem.  Lately Ferrari makes a lot of money off of the marketing of models, clothing, pens, pencils and just about anything else with the Ferrari logo inscribed upon it.  

The new California, the 458 Italia is another breathtaking design by Italian corrozzeria Pininfarina.

...it’s extremely fast, managing 100km/h in only 3.4 seconds before running to a top speed of 325km/h (202mph). And if you know your Ferrari lore you’ll realize that bypassing the illusive 200mph barrier is a major coup for the Italian brand, at least in a volume production model. The 458 Italia is the first “mainstream” model out of the Ferrari stable to achieve this feat.

Only photos and brief specs are available at this time, while more in-depth information will accompany the public unveiling at the Frankfurt motor show in September.