Many people believe that working for Ferrari comes with certain perks, such as employee discounts when purchasing the company’s supercars. The reality is quite the opposite.
According to statistics from Continental Autosports, from 2011 to 2015, Ferrari sold an average of 7,393 cars per year. This number increased to 8,200 cars during the 2016-2017 period. In 2018, it rose to 9,251 cars, and in 2019, it reached 10,131 cars, marking the first time the company sold over 10,000 cars in a single year.
Many may be surprised to learn that while numerous companies have discount policies for employees purchasing internal products, those working for Ferrari are unable to do so.
However, this figure decreased in the following year (2020) to 9,119 cars.
Regardless of whether the numbers increased or decreased, it is clear that Ferrari employees do not contribute to the company’s sales figures. This is distinctly different from mainstream manufacturers like Ford or Toyota.
Is it possible that Ferrari employees earn too little to afford the cars, which cost at least hundreds of thousands of dollars?
The answer is no. According to the job search site ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary of a Ferrari employee in the United States is $59,453. If the earnings of Ferrari employees in other countries are similar, regardless of discounts, employees would still be able to purchase the more “affordable” models like the Ferrari Roma ($220,000).
It’s not because Ferrari employees have low incomes… – (Photo: The Mirror)
The reason is that the Italian car manufacturer prohibits them from purchasing new cars. Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s marketing director, revealed to The Drive: Except for F1 drivers, those considered employees of the company are not allowed to purchase cars directly from the factory. F1 drivers are seen as brand ambassadors, thus enjoying privileges that regular employees do not.
To understand why Ferrari employees are not allowed to buy cars, we need to look back at the company’s business philosophy of “The Prancing Horse.”
Ferrari creates supercars that many aspire to own, allowing them to command high prices for each car sold. Allowing employees to buy cars at discounted prices would set a bad precedent by devaluing the product and stealing the title of “first owner of a Ferrari…” from those willing to pay extra just to be “number one.”
Furthermore, Ferrari cars are produced in limited quantities to enhance their exclusivity. If employees were allowed to purchase cars, wealthy customers would have to wait to own them.
Therefore, as long as there is a waiting list for purchasing cars, employees will never be able to buy new ones. An empty waiting list is nearly impossible.
…but due to the company’s policy – (Photo: Ferrari)
Of course, Ferrari employees can still own a “Prancing Horse,” just not a new one. The above rule does not apply to used Ferrari cars.
