Portal:Ferrari/Intro

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturing firm based in Maranello and Modena, Italy. Enzo Ferrari, the father of the brand, founded the company in 1947, following on the heels of the Second World War. Throughout its history, the firm's production vehicles and image have garnered wide popularity as status symbols among the wealthy.

The company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before also moving into production of street legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. The Ferrari 125 S was the first racing vehicle to bear the brand name, while the 1948 Ferrari 166 Inter was the first production road vehicle for customers. From its beginnings, the company's motorsports teams have been central to its focus, with the Scuderia Ferrari entering a team in the Formula One championship every year since the series' inception in 1950 and winning a record 15 World Constructor's Championships. Ferrari also had success in the World Sports Car Manufacturers’ Championship; the team's entry winning in years 1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, and 1958.

Today, the firm operates as a subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A.. The Ferrari division employs 2,926 people and posted 2007 revenues of € 1,668 million. The 2008 model year road cars include the F430, 612 Scaglietti, and 599 GTB Fiorano. In addition to these road models, Ferrari is introducing the Ferrari FXX, a non-street legal racing prototype to involve consumer clients in the Scuderia Ferrari track testing program.