Ferrari: who is the manufacturer and in what country are the legendary supercars made?

Introduction: Why Ferrari's country of origin raises so many questions

When it comes to Ferrari, the first question that car enthusiasts ask is: “Where are these machines actually made?”. Despite the fact that the brand is associated with Italy, the Internet is full of myths about “secret” factories in China, the USA or even Dubai. Let's figure out why country of origin so important to buyers and how it affects cost, quality and even engine sound.

The point is that Ferrari is the only automaker that still assembles all of its models exclusively in Italy, without moving production to countries with cheap labor.. This is the company’s principled position, enshrined in the charter documents. But how does this work in practice? And why are some parts still brought from abroad? The answers are in our analysis.

Official Ferrari manufacturer: who is behind the brand

Legally manufacturer Ferrari is a company Ferrari N.V. - a public organization whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol RACE. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Real production is controlled by a subsidiary - Ferrari S.p.A., registered in Italy.

Interesting fact: until 2016, Ferrari was part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), but was spun off into a separate company. Today the main shareholders are:

• 🏛️ Exor N.V. (investment holding of the Agnelli family) - 24%
• 💼 Pierro Ferrari (son of founder Enzo) - 10%
• 📈 Minority shareholders (including BlackRock) - remaining 66%

Despite international capital, production control remains entirely in the hands of Italian managers. The main office and all factories are located in Maranello (Emilia-Romagna region), where the brand was founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1947.

Where exactly are Ferraris assembled: addresses of factories and their specialization

Contrary to rumors of "secret" production, Ferrari has only two main factories, and both are in Italy. Their coordinates are not classified - moreover, the company organizes excursions for owners and journalists. Let's figure out what is produced where:

Factory	City	Specialization	Opening year
Ferrari Maranello	Maranello	Bodies, assembly of all models (except hybrids), V8/V12 engines	1947
Ferrari Modena	Modena	Engines (including hybrid systems), transmissions, prototypes	1997
Ferrari Tailor Made	Maranello	Customization (individual orders by color, materials, finishing)	2011

It is important to understand that Ferrari has no factories outside Italy - even for the US or Chinese markets. All cars, including limited editions like Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2 or Daytona SP3, are going to Maranello. The only exceptions are a few components:

• 🔋 Batteries for hybrids - supplies SK Innovation (South Korea)
• 🖥️ Electronics (on-board computers) - developed with Magneti Marelli (Italy/Japan)
• 🎨 Paint "Rosso Corsa" - produced using an exclusive formula in Germany

Why Italy is not just a “country of assembly”, but part of the brand’s DNA

Ferrari could save billions by moving production to low-wage countries (as they did Lamborghini with part assembled in Mexico or McLaren in the UK). But the company deliberately incurs additional costs. What is the reason?

The point is three key factors, which make Italian production unique:

1. Manual assembly: 80% of operations are performed manually (for example, V12 engines are assembled by one master from start to finish).
2. Local suppliers: 70% of components are supplied by Italian companies (for example, tires Pirelli or brakes Brembo).
3. Racing tradition culture: the plant in Maranello is located 20 km from the highway Imola, where Ferrari tests prototypes.

Moreover, Italian legislation prohibits mass layoffs of workers - this ensures that experienced assemblers (many of whom have worked for Ferrari for decades) are not replaced by cheap labor. For example, the average length of service of an employee on a production line in Maranello is 15 years.

What happens if Ferrari moves production to China?

If, hypothetically, Ferrari starts assembling cars in China (as they did Masera or Bugatti with some components), this will lead to:

1) Loss of the “handmade” status (hand assembly in Italy is a key marketing argument);

2) Falling prices on the secondary market (cars not assembled in Maranello will cost 20-30% less);

3) Conflict with Italian trade unions, which have the right to block such decisions through the courts.

How does the country of manufacture affect the price of a Ferrari?

Italian production adds to Ferrari's value minimum 30% compared to analogues assembled in Germany or Japan. Let's figure out what exactly you are paying for:

Factor	Cost (euros)	Explanation
Salaries of collectors	+12 000	The average salary of a worker in Maranello is €4,000/month (3 times higher than in Slovakia)
Logistics	+8 000	Shipping cars to the USA/Asia is more expensive than from Germany (e.g. Porsche)
Taxes	+15 000	Corporate tax in Italy - 24% (in Hungary - 9%)
Exclusive materials	+20 000	Leather from Poltrona Frau, carbon fiber from Mubea (Italy/Germany)

But there is also a downside: cars assembled in Italy are resold at higher prices. For example, Ferrari F40 (1987–1992) today costs $2–3 million, although the original price was $400 thousand. For comparison, McLaren F1 (assembled in the UK) increased in price "only" 10 times.

Myths about Ferrari production: what's true and what's not

There are a lot of rumors circulating on the Internet about where and how Ferraris are made. Let's look at the most popular:

⚠️ Attention: If they tell you that “Ferrari is assembled in Dubai for Arab sheikhs,” this is a lie. In the UAE there is only Ferrari World (amusement park) and a dealership, but not a factory.

• ❌ Myth 1: "Ferrari is made in China for the local market"

  🔹 Reality: There is an assembly workshop in China for Masera (a brand of the same group), but Ferrari is not produced there. All cars for Asia are imported from Italy.

• ❌ Myth 2: "Ferrari engines are made by BMW or Mercedes"

  🔹 Reality: The engines are designed and assembled by Ferrari itself in Modena. The exception is hybrid systems (together with Mahle).

• ❌ Myth 3: "Ferrari uses cheap Chinese parts"

  🔹 Reality: Yes, some electronics and batteries come from Asia, but critical components (brakes, suspension, body) are made in Europe.

Another common rumor is that Ferrari "is actually owned by China." This is due to the fact that in 2022 China’s sovereign wealth fund bought 3% of the company's shares. However, these are passive investments and do not involve management.

How to check that your Ferrari really comes from an Italian factory

If you're buying a Ferrari secondhand or from an unofficial dealer, here's 4 ways to verify authenticity:

Pay special attention VIN code. For original Ferraris it starts with:

• ZFF - cars for the world market (assembled in Maranello)
• ZDM – prototypes or test units (assembled in Modena)
• ZFA — old models (before 2000)

If VIN starts with other letters (for example, LFV - this is Lamborghini), in front of you is either a fake or the car has been significantly modified.

⚠️ Attention: On the secondary market you often find “kit cars” (replicas based on Toyota MR2 or Pontiac Fiero), passed off as original Ferraris. They can be identified by the absence of a VIN on the frame and a very low price (for example, a "Ferrari 360 Modena" for $50,000).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari manufacturer

Is it possible to buy a Ferrari not assembled in Italy?

No. All production Ferrari models (including SF90 Stradale, 296 GTB and Roma) are assembled exclusively in Maranello, Italy. The only exceptions are racing cars. Ferrari Challenge, which are partially assembled in the USA for local competitions, but these are not road cars.

Why doesn't Ferrari move production to countries with cheap labor?

This is a strategic decision of the company, enshrined in the statutory documents. Ferrari positions itself as Italian premium brand, and moving production would undermine the reputation. In addition, hand assembly in Italy allows for quality control at a level unattainable in mass factories.

What parts in Ferrari are not made in Italy?

Some components are ordered from foreign suppliers:

• Electronics - Bosch (Germany), Denso (Japan)
• Hybrid batteries - SK Innovation (South Korea)
• Some sensors - Continental (Germany/Romania)

However, all critical components (engine, gearbox, chassis) are manufactured in Italy.

How long does it take to build one Ferrari?

Depending on the model:

• Production models (for example, Portofino) — 3–4 weeks
• Exclusive series (for example, LaFerrari Aperta) - up to 6 months
• Custom orders (via Tailor Made) – 8–12 months

For comparison: assembly Porsche 911 takes about 2 weeks.

Is it possible to visit the Ferrari factory in Maranello?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• Excursions are only for Ferrari owners (you must present documents for the car).
• Cost - from €200 to €1,000 depending on the program.
• Photographing the conveyor is prohibited (allowed only in the museum Galleria Ferrari).

You can sign up on the website https://www.ferrari.com/en-US/museums.