The Chinese market 20th Anniversary 458 Italia. Image: Ferrari
It’s been 20 years since Ferrari sold its first car in China, and from those humble beginnings a giant market has emerged. In 1992, Ferrari sold a single 348 TS in China, but last year the brand moved 777 cars, making China its second largest global market.
That kind of demand warrants attention, so Ferrari is opening a brand center in Shanghai’s World Expo Park. The Ferrari Exhibition will feature displays on loan from the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, and it will focus specifically on five areas: Ferrari in China, Green Technology, Products, Design and Racing.
Ferrari is also kicking off a limited production 458 Italia to mark its 20th anniversary in China, and the car is styled more for Chinese tastes than for Western preferences. The color, called Marco Polo Red, is all new and was created specifically for the anniversary edition car. Gold features prominently in the car’s livery, and is used both on the wheels and in the graphics. Those graphics include a large golden dragon on a black background, splayed across the hood, as well as a black and gold stripe that crosses the hood and rear deck lid.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
The Chinese market 20th Anniversary 458 Italia. Image: Ferrari
Inside, headrests are adorned with gold stitching, and a number plaque identifies your car as one of just 20 built. There are no performance upgrades, so the special edition 458 Italia is essentially just a paint and trim package, designed to represent the “vigor and spirit of the legendary dragon horse.”
It’s not our taste in cars, but Ferrari hasn’t seen the same level of growth from the U.S. as it has from China. Besides, we have no doubt that all 20 anniversary edition cars will sell out long before they hit a Ferrari dealer’s showroom.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
