Velocita Motors opens its permanent home
A rather refreshing break from the non-stop flurry of Chinese car companies were the recent events of two very esteemed Italian brands with an impressive pedigree in the country. Two weekends past was another Italian brand’s event, and this recent weekend was Ferrari’s major opening.
San Miguel Corporation-owned Velocita Motors Inc. (VMI), the country’s sole authorized importer-distributor of Ferrari automobiles in the Philippines finally opened the doors to its new and permanent home in the Philippines, in the posh Greenhills district of San Juan City. The momentous event was attended by SMC Vice-Chair, President, CEO & COO Ramon S. Ang, who is also the Dealer Principal for Velocita Motors, and Luca Zanetti, Ferrari’s Global Head of Sales who flew in from Maranello, Italy, directly, and was kind enough to answer some of our questions. Rocco Zamora, representing Mayor Francis Zamora was also one of the guests of honor.
The new Velocita Motors facility sits on a 1,500-sqm lot, and has a total floor area of 4,135sqm. This includes two above-ground levels for showroom and offices, with three basement levels for service, parking and storage space. The basement one level main workshop is a fully air-conditioned service facility featuring the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, special tools, lifters, plus one of the most technologically advanced exhaust vents to suck out noxious fumes from Ferrari vehicles getting started and tested. There are currently four certified technicians from Ferrari who have undergone rigorous certification, with more mechanics soon to join the after-sales / service team. Velocita Motors Director and acting after-sales head Luis Gono toured us around the service area while VMI General Manager Japheth Castillo showed us around the main showroom area. Castillo and Director Spencer Yu were particularly proud of the configurator room where clients can spec out their Ferraris before ordering them, from exterior to interior color combinations, seat designs and a choice of fabric or leather, with contrasting stitching and matching seat belts or harnesses where applicable, plus alloy wheel designs and wheel colors, brake caliper colors and more. An infinite number of possibilities ensure that no two Ferraris will ever be the same. And with Ferrari’s total global production being a very exclusive number (13,663 units in 2023), you can be doubly assured your new and bespoke Ferrari will be truly unique. Beside the configurator room is a sitting room / study area filled with literature and artwork resembling a study or library reminiscent of Il Commendatore Enzo Ferrari’s old Office in Maranello, Ferrari’s spiritual home and global headquarters. An espresso bar completes the ambiance of old world Italian charm.
There are plans to build a lounge / bar on the second floor to give enthusiasts a place to hang out, relax and enjoy all things Ferrari.
We sat down with Ferrari Head of Global Sales Luca Zanetti to discuss some of Ferrari’s plans. Despite a blockbuster year in 2023, Ferrari says they are under no pressure to grow volume to a specified target; rather they will continue to build one less unit than what the market demands. Suffice to say, 2024 will probably bring the brand closer to, if not surpassing the 15,000 units produced.
Signor Zanetti also mentioned that in June-July of this year, Ferrari will inaugurate its new EV-focused facility in Maranello, ushering the start of Ferrari’s fully electrified and hybridized future. But despite the massive push for electrification, Ferrari will always remain true to the naturally aspirated V12, keeping it alive for as long as possible. Enthusiasts can rest assured then that the beautiful operatic aria of the V12 will live well into the next era of motoring. But we couldn’t resist a cheeky question and asked Signor Zanetti what an electric Ferrari would sound. Beaming confidently, Signor Zanetti has obviously been asked this a lot and said that not to worry, the fully electric Ferrari of the future will have a sound as the aural sensation is key to the Ferrari experience. Exciting indeed!
Coincidentally, the replacement for the 812 front-engined V12 flagship supercar will be unveiled (supposedly) in two weeks at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix, no doubt pushing Ferrari sales even higher. No official word yet but rumor has it that Ferrari will unveil the replacement locally towards the end of 2024.
As for mere mortals like you and me? We can finally see the complete Ferrari line-up, officially imported by a legitimate company in one roof. Despite probably never being able to afford one, seeing a Ferrari, and hearing it on the move, will always stir our automotive passion like crazy.
