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Ferrari Just Launched a $640,000 EV and It’s Already Backfired: ‘The Destruction of a Legend’

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Why This Matters

Ferrari's launch of the $640,000 electric vehicle, the Luce, has faced significant backlash, highlighting the challenges traditional luxury brands face in transitioning to EVs without compromising their iconic status. This incident underscores the risks and consumer skepticism surrounding legacy automakers' electric ambitions, which could reshape industry strategies and brand perceptions.

Key Takeaways

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So much for that. Ferrari unveiled its first electric car, and it’s sputtering out of the gate.

The Italian sports car maker rolled out the Luce, a $640,000 four-door EV designed in part by ex-Apple design legend Jony Ive’s firm LoveFrom. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna called it a “Leapfrog moment” in the company’s nearly 80-year history, according to The New York Times. But Wall Street wasn’t buying it: the stock has fallen 8% since Monday’s launch as analysts questioned whether the EV gamble would damage the iconic brand.

The backlash has been brutal. Memes compared the Luce’s bubble-shaped exterior to a Nissan Leaf, with one popular post showing it upside down, charging via iPhone cable. Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari’s former chairman, warned of “the destruction of a legend.” Ferrari’s stumble fits a broader pattern: Lamborghini killed its $500,000 electric supercar, Sony and Honda scrapped their $90,000 Afeela, and Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have scaled back their electric ambitions. Ferrari already cut its 2030 EV target from 40% to 20% of its lineup.