Ferrari marketing boss quits after backlash over electric car launch
By Aboki Forex —
Enrico Galliera has resigned as Ferrari's chief marketing and commercial officer, weeks after the automaker faced heavy criticism for its first all-electric car, the Luce.
Ferrari announced that Galliera would leave the role he held for 16 years. He will be replaced by Massimiliano Di Silvestre, former head of BMW Italy, in July. Galliera's job included deciding which customers could buy Ferrari's most sought-after vehicles.
Since taking the role in 2010, he was involved in many key company events. Ferrari thanked Galliera for his service and said he had decided to start a new chapter in his career, a decision shared with the company some time ago.
The Luce was unveiled in May and sparked intense backlash. The car's design, created by iPhone designer Sir Jony Ive, was criticised by Matteo Salvini, Ferrari's former chairman and Italy's deputy prime minister and transport minister. The launch also led to an 8 percent drop in Ferrari's share price the next day.
Ferrari's first production hybrid hypercar, the LaFerrari, which combines a petrol engine and an electric motor, launched in 2013. The company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2015 and in Milan the following year.
However, the $640,000 Luce spawned a wave of internet memes and negative reactions. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said Galliera played a significant role in the company's growth and in strengthening the Ferrari brand worldwide. He added, 'He has the gratitude of the entire Ferrari team and my personal best wishes for the future.' Galliera declined to comment further.