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The gang at eGMCarTech was as puzzled as anyone else regarding the oddly spartan Ferrari display at this year's New York Auto Show. As we joked during the show, it looked as if thieves had run off with everything but the car, a black F430 sitting all by its lonesome. The eGM crew contacted Ferrari with a "what gives?" query and got an email in response. Turns out, Ferrari is at as much of a loss as everyone else. You see, Maranello isn't participating in this year's New York show in any official capacity. If we had to guess, some local dealer is probably shelling out big bucks to have one of his cars act as the unofficial Ferrari display. Unfortunately, devoid of signage, tucked between Aston and Bentley and across from Lambo and Porsche, the generally delectable F430 has been reduced to wallflower status. How very un-Ferrari. Visit eGMCarTech to read Ferrari's full response.
[Source: eGMCarTech]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
SPG @ Mar 28th 2008 12:12PM
That's actually pretty funny.
Oh well, a good effort.
Craig @ Mar 28th 2008 12:31PM
No it wasn't! haha
Worst attempt at advertising ever.
MajorGeek @ Mar 28th 2008 1:42PM
Actually Craig it apparently is pretty smart since your replying about it on an auto website who got it from another and so on and so forth and on it goes giving them a ton of free press while saving money. Im no advertising specialist, but sure seems like a good idea, the word Ferrari never entered my mine today without it.
Reader @ Mar 28th 2008 4:11PM
Well the guy isn't advertising for Ferrari, but I would assume his dealership, which no one this has not brought any attention to.
Reader @ Mar 28th 2008 4:12PM
err remove "no one" from that sentence and it should make sense. This is what I get for commenting without my contacts in.
SPG @ Mar 28th 2008 4:15PM
Reader,
With so few dealerships for new Ferarri's, advertising the brand is pretty much all the dealer would need to do.
DriverG @ Mar 28th 2008 12:17PM
I believe there was a Manhattan Motorcars placard in the rear license plate location.
stealth @ Mar 28th 2008 12:26PM
lawlzor
FrankTheCrank @ Mar 28th 2008 12:33PM
Quick question:
Is it worth it to go to the NY Auto Show at this point?
I'm considering going down. I know the last day is the 30th. But if all the manufacturers have packed up and left, I don't want to go for nothing.
havoc @ Mar 28th 2008 12:54PM
i am so awesome, that i am in awe of myself (very sphynx)
SNERDLEY @ Mar 28th 2008 1:00PM
I smell a McLaren prank with this one. What better way to tweak Ferrari than to display one of their cars without an explanation. We all know a Ferrari is not a Ferrari without an explanation.
John P. @ Mar 28th 2008 1:01PM
I just got a mental image of some trade-show display union thug polishing his neon ferrari logo in his living room in New Joyzie.
Fatman @ Mar 28th 2008 1:07PM
Hmm, wonder what happened? They had a great space at the the Detroit show.
Michael @ Mar 28th 2008 4:28PM
An intern was given his first task to prove whether or not he was worthy of a real job!
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broosewee @ Mar 28th 2008 1:19PM
Ferrari usually has the largest crowds gathering around their booth at NY. I wonder why they opted out of the show this year. It's not like they have anything new though... but still, a 599 woulda been nice to see. Thanks Ferrari.
Oh, and that single car display was weird. Didn't seem like an advertising ploy, or else it was a very bad one.
Ian @ Mar 28th 2008 1:47PM
Almost NONE of the brands showing at this Auto show knew how to "sell" to the normal buyer. Most had prepackaged talks every 1/2 hour or so. Most told me little I didn't already know. Finally at the Pontic stand a youg lady approached the small group I was with (3 people) and asked was there anything we wanted to see, or know. This was just after she had opened up the soft top from the nice Solstice to show some young enthusiasts how it worked. Nobody else in the whole show was so engaging. Kudos to this young Lady.
I would advise all GM Sales staffers to follow her lead.
garlinski @ Mar 28th 2008 1:55PM
I usually go to this show and if I remember correctly, usually the Ferrari's are lumped with Maseratti's from a local dealer.
But anyway, with this picture up top, it's almost like a piece of art... does it need an explanation? It is after all an F430 and if I'm correct, it is one of the most lusted after automobile's in the world. So much so that if I had the money, had already purchased at least one other Ferrari and had actually gotten on The List, I'd probably be on that said list long after it's next iteration is released and replaced. Do they REALLY need any advertising at all? The car says it all. Period.
FSM @ Mar 28th 2008 3:26PM
What is with the tinted barrier around the car? Aston Martin had their cars behind one of these at the Detroit Show a couple years ago and everyone had to stand on their tip toes to see anything. Why do they do that? Are they really trying to distance themselves that much from the smelly masses? Are they afraid that too many eyeballs at one time will ruin the polish?
r33 @ Mar 28th 2008 4:02PM
YEP!
if you cant afford it you cant touch it!
we are ferrari and smelly,grease people are not our kind of client.
dont touch me!!
fm @ Mar 28th 2008 5:01PM
I was there yesterday and wondered the same thing. There was a crowd around it but I think it was more out of curiosity then admiration. It really seemed pourly done. Not at all what Ferrari has done in the past. Even if it was a dealer you'd think there would be a sign promoting his dealership. Another question Autoblog should ask is why Ferrari wasn't part of the show?