NEW DELHI: Fiat chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has also been at the helm of Ferrari for the last 16 years. With six record F1 titles in his bag, a steady performance, turnaround in the passenger car segment and an eye on India, Mr Montezemolo seems to be now stepping on the gas.
When Indiatimes Auto caught up with him recently - on telephone from Italy - the Ferrari honcho talked at length about his plans to introduce Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Fiat's Grand Punto and Bravo. Besides, he also did not rule out a tie-up with Tata Motors for its Rs 1-lakh car.
While Ferrari and Maserati would be launched in the next two to three years, Fiat would introduce Grande Punto and Bravo in the Indian market soon, he said. As for Ferrari, he said the US was still their largest market in the world. "I think India will become an important market for Ferrari, but not before two-three years from now," he added.
For the first time in 11 years, Ferrari will go to the Formula 1 without champion Michael Schumacher, who retired from competition last year. When asked about the subsequent pressures, Mr Montezemolo said, "We have a brand new team with Kimi Raikkonen from Finland and Felipe Massa from Brazil. I think we will be competitive and try to win the championship this year."
Brand Ferrari, he pointed out is not just a car but "a mixture of passion, design and extreme technology." There are Ferrari merchandising shops in Las Vegas, Shanghai, Milan and Rome, besides a theme park in Abu Dhabi. A similar one could come to India in the next two to three years, he said. , Maserati and Fiat's Grand Punto and Bravo.