The rapid rise of Chinese automakers has significantly impacted well-established players in the industry. Gone are the days when car companies from China were ridiculed for copying designs and producing subpar vehicles. They are now giving Western brands a run for their money, and everyone is taking notice. This includes Ferrari, which doesn't seem concerned about losing out to emerging performance brands from China.
Ferrari's Global Marketing Director, Emanuele Carando, has extensive knowledge of high-end vehicles from China, having traveled to the country frequently to test the latest developments. In an interview with Australian magazine GoAuto, he praised the progress Chinese automakers have made over the past few decades, while noting they still have ground to cover in one key area.
View Price on AmazonCarando stated, "We think they are making incredible progress in terms of performance. I think they are still a little behind in terms of driving emotion. Developing a car that drives fast on the straight is not difficult. Developing a car that is incredibly precise when entering a curve, it stays flat, it doesn't pitch, it doesn't roll, and it gives you confidence and emotion … this is what we try to do. You know you are driving a Ferrari, not only when you are driving fast."
Ferrari can still sleep comfortably at night, knowing China isn't quite there yet when it comes to building a car as thrilling through the corners as one from Maranello. However, Carando admits the company has something to learn by benchmarking competitors' cars. At the same time, Ferrari is motivated to keep improving its new models so China doesn't close the gap even further.
As things stand, Ferrari claims it still holds an advantage in driving dynamics. However, it doesn't deny that Chinese companies are engineering "incredible jewels" with impressive levels of comfort, features, and technology. Although they're compelling products, the company with the Prancing Horse doesn't necessarily see them as direct rivals.
Carando added, "But I think the overall combination is very different versus what Ferrari produces. They do develop cars which are kind of consumable. Every month a new car comes up, and your previous car becomes old." Ferrari models certainly have more staying power, and the brand's heritage is another major asset that Chinese companies lack.
Motor1's Take: Ferrari may not be doing all that well in China, but we need to look at the bigger picture. It has managed to offset weaker demand there by selling more cars in other markets. With 13,640 units delivered in 2025, it came close to matching its 2024 sales record of 13,752 vehicles, or just 112 more than last year.
Source: motor1.com
