Ferrari celebrates at Hong Kong's Asia World Expo

Thu, 24 Oct 2013

More than 600 Ferrari models, representing every era of the famed automaker's production, celebrated 30 years of presence in Hong Kong with a gathering at the Asia World Expo this past weekend. The event marked the largest single gathering of Maranello's sports cars ever organized in China. The weekend culminated with Marc Gene, Scuderia Ferrari's test driver, unveiling the new 458 Speciale.

There are only about 1,700 Ferrari owners in China, and they boast an average age of just 35 years. The young clientele in the Asian market often take advantage of Ferrari's 'Tailor Made' bespoke program and they have a growing interest in racing. The automaker says that many will travel to the Mugello circuit in Italy to participate in the final event of the Asia Pacific series of the Ferrari Challenge in a couple weeks.

"I am pleased to be here to celebrate Ferrari's thirty years in Hong Kong, along with so many owners who share our passion and the search for excellence, exclusivity and innovation," said President Luca di Montezemolo. The video shows hundreds of Ferraris, in popular white, yellow and red, being arranged indoors to form the Bauhinia Blakeana, a five-pedal flower that is the characteristic symbol of Hong Kong. Apparently owners of the more exclusive Blu Scozia, Avio Met and Vinaccia colors were asked to park outside. Scroll down below for a video and press release detailing the event.

Hong Kong, 19 October - Luca di Montezemolo celebrated thirty years of Ferrari's presence in Hong Kong, with the biggest gathering of Prancing Horse cars ever organised in Greater China.

Over six hundred Ferrari's spanning every era, found themselves at the Asia World Expo on the island of Lantau, where they were arranged so as to form the characteristic symbol of Hong Kong, the five-petal flower, the Bauhinia Blakeana, to pay tribute to the long established relationship between Ferrari and the city where East meets West.

The event was also the occasion to present the very latest creation to come out of Maranello, the 458 Speciale, unveiled by Marc Gene, Scuderia Ferrari's test driver. Also present along with President Montezemolo were representatives of Auto Italia Ltd, the Prancing Horse's Hong Kong importer and over two thousand Ferrari owners and guests, who all share a passion for the marque.

Among the cars present were some real gems from the past, such as the 195 Inter, the 365 GTC and the Dino, as well as the very best examples of the modern sports car, such as the 458 Challenge and the laboratory cars, the 599 XX and FXX Evoluzione.

"I am pleased to be here to celebrate Ferrari's thirty years in Hong Kong, along with so many owners who share our passion and the search for excellence, exclusivity and innovation," said President Montezemolo. "Their contribution to our growth in Greater China has always been a vital element and it will continue to be so in the future."

Meeting the media, Montezemolo underlined the importance of exclusivity in this market too: "It's true that China is a relatively new market, where we are now present with thirty dealerships, and with a big margin for growth, but this year we want to maintain sales at those of last year."

The average age of Ferrari owners in China continues to be quite low (35) and with a great propensity for car personalisation, which is why the "Tailor Made" programme has been so successful." The historic role of Hong Kong, which boasts around 1700 owners is also underlined by the extensive group of collectors and the growing interest in racing activities. In fact, various customers have acquired historic Formula 1 cars and take part in events specially organised for them by the F1 Clienti department, with nine drivers, 20% of those entered, taking part in the Asia Pacific series of the Ferrari Challenge, the one-make series for owner-drivers, who will be tackling the final event of the season over the weekend of 9/10 November, at the Mugello circuit in Italy.

By Michael Harley