Milan (AFP)

More than 10,000 racing cars delivered to the planet, a first in the history of Ferrari: the prestigious brand on nose-up experienced a record 2019 in terms of sales and intends to continue to gallop in 2020.

The dashing Italian manufacturer (it is blowing out 72 candles this year) has established itself in the collective imagination as one of the emblematic brands of the sports car.

Its racing cars are reserved for a few "happy few", ready to pay from 200,000 euros for a "classic" model to more than a million for limited series, but also willing to wait long months to have the precious steering wheel in their hands .

The group - whose first cars came out of the imagination of Enzo Ferrari - has sought in recent years to increase its production, while maintaining this notion of exclusivity so important to its customers. In 2010, for example, it had sold only 6,573 vehicles.

"The increase remains limited and does not change anything in terms of exclusivity. It especially reflects the widening of the Ferrari market worldwide, to China and India for example," said Carlo Alberto Carnevale to AFP. Maffè, professor of strategy at Bocconi University in Milan.

Last year, the group delivered exactly 10,131 cars, 880 more than in 2018 (+ 9.5%).

The Europe / Middle East / Africa zone remains by far its main market, with 4,895 vehicles and an increase of 15.8%. Deliveries also jumped 20.3% in the China-Hong Kong-Taiwan region.

Buoyed by these record sales, the automaker's annual turnover increased 10.1% to 3.76 billion euros.

"We are starting 2020 with good momentum, an excellent portfolio that will be completed with two new models this year", and "an order book larger than ever," said his boss, Louis Camilleri, during a conference call with analysts.

"Beyond the quality of its products, the Ferrari brand has an extremely important reputation, and which no longer depends only as in the past on its sporting results, but on its style and positioning", underlines Mr. Carnevale-Maffè.

"The Ferraris went from only super sporty and super powerful cars, to an extended range including grand touring with more comfort for a more daily use", explains the expert. All with "a very strong work of personalization, customer service and management of the Ferrari community, via clubs that keep the passion alive and give a very strong sense of belonging".

The only big disappointment: Formula 1, where Ferrari was crowned in 2019, for the third consecutive year, vice-world champion behind Mercedes.

© 2020 AFP