Shanghai Motor Show 2009- Kimi Raikkonen unveils Ferrari California for Asia

20/04/2009 - 19:19 | Shanghai Motor Show 2009, Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari California, Ferrari | Shrawan Raja

Ferrari F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen, who isn't having a very good time driving his Ferrari in many parts of the world, decided to stay back in Shanghai to visit the Shanghai Motor Show and should have been happy to be in the company of a more pleasing, civilized and driver-friendly Ferrari

Kimi arrived at the show along with many members of his racing team to pull the satin off the sky blue Ferrari California for the Asian continent. Kimi was also joined by the top-level management of the Italian company and even spoke a few words in English which understandably has not been recorded in the press release.

Ferrari is present in China with a solid plan. With no less than ten dealerships and a on-road strength of 500 cars in its five year trading tenure, we've stopped wondering why they've made the effort to unveil it there.

Ferrari California and Kimi Raikkonen at the Chinese Motor Show Image Gallery

Press Release

Ferrari California: Asian market debut at Shanghai International Motor Show

Shanghai, 20th April 2009. The Ferrari California was officially unveiled on the Asian market today at the Shanghai International Motor Show.

The ceremony was attended by Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, Ferrari Asia Pacific Region manager Marco Mattiacci, driver Kimi Räikkönen and several other members of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.

Amedeo Felisa reminded those present of the importance to Ferrari of the APAC market which delivered record results in 2008 with over 1,000 cars sold. Ferrari is, in fact, market leader in its segment with a 46% market share. China, where Ferrari has been present since 2004 through its joint venture with China Poly Technology Co., is the Company’s second largest APAC market with 212 cars sold, double-figure annual growth and the 500-owner ceiling reached in 2008. The Chinese dealership network also spans 10 cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dalian, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing and Nanjing.

The Company has focused particular attention on customer care in China resulting in the founding of the first Ferrari China Owners’ Club, a meeting and exchange platform for Ferrari clients, and the introduction of Pilota, the first Ferrari driving course to be staged in the country. A second driving course is already planned for Tokyo in Japan in the coming months. Other client services offered are: the Concierge Service, which allows clients communicate directly with Ferrari to enjoy a selection of exclusive services, and the Road Assistance Program, which provides fast, direct road-side assistance.

The Ferrari California has attracted huge interest in Asia. The car, which is the latest addition to our high performance 8-cylinder range, sets a new standard in terms of technological innovation and design. Thanks to its track-derived DNA and leading-edge innovation, the Ferrari California will more than fulfil the expectations of even our most discerning clients, offering exceptional driving pleasure and fun behind the wheel as well as extreme versatility of use and in-car comfort. The first Ferrari Californias were delivered in Europe in the early weeks of 2009 while deliveries to countries outside of Europe will commence in June.