Velocita Motors opens as the country’s sole authorized importer and dealer for Ferrari
After a long gestation period, Velocita Motors finally opened its doors to its temporary facility along the country’s busiest thoroughfare, EDSA, in Mandaluyong City.
This comes after months of anticipation, when the temporary enclosure of the current facility went up and simply indicated it as the future site of Velocita Motors / Ferrari Philippines.
Velocita Motors is of course another subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation, led by billionaire businessman and industrialist Ramon S. Ang, an avowed gearhead, former racer, all-around automotive connoisseur and renowned car collector whose collection is greatly varied and spans an impressive era.
Indeed, many Ferraristi felt extremely happy that the brand ended up with a true enthusiast who genuinely loves cars and cares for the brand, and is recognized for being a true world class, professionally run organization. This was very much evident in Ferrari South East Asia and Middle East President Dieter Knechtel who flew in to formally join hands with SMC and meet the members of the Philippine media and Ferrari clients.
The event also served as the local launch of two Ferrari models: the 296 mid-engine hybrid sports car, and the Purosangue, a cross-over ‘Ferrari Activity Vehicle’ to take on a new breed of super SUVs and crossovers from exotic sports car makers.
These are also joined by the Ferrari Roma, a front-engined GT and the SF90 hybrid hypercar. Interestingly, a first-time potential Ferrari client can only purchase the 296 and the Roma. The Purosangue and SF90 are reserved for established long-time Ferrari clients with a history of Ferrari ownership, or preferably multiple Ferraris in their stable. Expect at least 12-months of waiting time until your 296 or Roma arrives. Qualified for a Purosangue? Then expect a lengthier 24 months or longer wait.
The man also known as RSA is no stranger to the car business, having successfully taken stewardship of BMW. He is adamant that Velocita Motors will provide the best in terms of sales and crucially, world-class service for these Italian thoroughbreds by investing in the latest tools, equipment, personnel training, and a steady and consistent parts supply chain, coupled with the best personnel for the job. Ferrari owners old and new can be heard breathing a collective sigh of relief as they can finally expect servicing of their vehicles under the Ferrari factory’s best practices and methods. Mr. Ang also promised the media that Velocita Motors Ferrari Philippines will soon move to a better location by 2024 to a purpose-built facility in Greenhills, along Connecticut Street facing RSA Motors BMW Greenhills. The new building will follow the latest in Ferrari’s global corporate identity design theme for its facilities worldwide.
As a come-on, Velocita Motors says they will gladly welcome all Ferrari makes and models, particularly those cars imported via grey means as parallel imports after paying a minimal ‘enrollment’ fee to the local Ferrari distributor.
I asked RSA how soon can local buyers expect delivery of their cars. He replied that while it’s hard at this point to give even a soft, moving target date (as it’s part of Ferrari mystique and allure to just patiently wait until they call you), Velocita Motors is doing everything they can to expedite delivery. But despite the eye-watering price tags (the 296 starts at P32 million and the Purosangue at P46 million while the SF90 is at P100 million) RSA says demand is quite good from the public.
Hopefully, we’ll have the pleasure of seeing more Ferraris on the road, and hear their beautiful banshee-like wail. RSA’s stewardship of Ferrari comes at a very good time as the Maranello-based exotic car maker promises to launch 15 new models by 2026 in the Philippines. Good times up ahead.
