- Ferrari does not believe in autonomous driving for its supercar lines
- Ferrari’s new CEO, Benedetto Vigna, expressed this view during an interview with Fortune.
- Ferrari instead wants to focus on innovation and performance, with hybrid and electric cars that respect the brand’s DNA.
Ferrari is an icon of the automotive world. The brand, author of particularly luxurious (and expensive) supercars, represents the dream and the passion for millions of fans around the world. However, of course, like all manufacturers, Ferrari must adapt to a changing world, in particular by developing more environmentally friendly models.
However, for the new CEO of the prancing horse brand, Benedetto Vigna, there is no question of embracing all the new technologies of the moment. Autonomous driving, in particular, is a non-topic at Ferrari according to the number 1 of the luxury manufacturer.
Ferrari will continue to innovate, but no question of making its supercars autonomous
In any case, this is what he said during an exclusive interview with Fortune, in which he talks about his vision and his strategy for Ferrari. Benedetto Vigna, who took office in September 2021, is a physicist and entrepreneur who comes from the world of semiconductors. He was notably the president of the Analog, MEMS and Sensors group of STMicroelectronics.
Benedetto Vigna explains that his experience in the field of sensors enabled him to understand the importance of the interaction between man and machine. He said that Ferrari did not want to offer self-driving cars, because it would take away the pleasure and emotion of driving so important to the team’s customers.
“We don’t care about autonomous driving. There are performance software, there are driving aids, but we don’t want our customers to lose control”he said.
And to add that Ferrari is not against innovation, while emphasizing that this innovation must always be at the service of performance and pleasure. He cited the example of hybrid and electric cars, which are a technical and aesthetic challenge for the brand. He recalled that Ferrari had already launched the SF90 Stradale, its first plug-in hybrid car, and that it planned to present its first all-electric car by 2025.
“We want to create cars that respect Ferrari’s DNA, which are fast, beautiful and exclusive. We also want to be responsible to the environment and reduce our carbon footprint. We believe that hybrid and electric cars can offer a new driving experience, with more acceleration, more torque and more agility”he explained.
Benedetto Vigna also expressed his confidence in Ferrari’s potential in Formula 1. He praised the work of sporting director Frédéric Vasseur, who replaced Mattia Binotto in January 2022. He also praised the performances of drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, which saw Ferrari finish second in the constructors’ championship in 2022.
“We have a strong and motivated team, which is working hard to prepare for the 2023 season. We have only one objective: to win the world title”did he declare.
