Ferrari takes control

The distribution of Ferrari sports cars in Australia is being taken over by the Italian factory from European Automotive Imports, the independent agency owned by local businessman Neville Crichton.

The new entity, Ferrari Australasia, will be based in Sydney and run by Australian Herbert Appleroth, who already manages Ferrari's Japanese distribution business.

EAI, which has distributed Ferraris in Australia for the last seven years, will continue to handle Maserati and Lotus sports cars here.

Ferrari Australasia commences operation from April 1 and will look after sales and marketing, events, after-sales and public relations duties for both Australia and New Zealand. The takeover is part of a global Ferrari strategy to gain closer contact with its customers.

EAI, which is a subsidiary of Ateco Automotive, will also continue to retail Ferraris in Sydney from its Waterloo showroom and manage the brand's warehousing and distribution of parts.

"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.

Today is a historic day in the rich fabric of the Ferrari brand in this important area of the Ferrari world," Senior Vice President of Commercial and Marketing of Ferrari SpA, Enrico Galliera said in a statement.

The creation of Ferrari Australasia is part of a reshaping of the company's commercial organisation around four geographic hubs, including one dedicated to the Far East which will overlook all the company's activities in Asia Pacific, with the exception of the Greater China area. Giuseppe Cattaneo has been appointed as the head of the Far East hub.

The first new Ferrari model the factory distributor will launch in Australia is the F12 Berlinetta V12, which arrives in June.

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