| Maserati roars back into lead
FIFTY years ago the great racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio called a halt to his career at the age of 47. He retired at the top, Formula 1 world champion for the fifth time in 1957. His last race, the 1958 French Grand Prix, was in a Maserati 250F and it marked the end of the road for the Maserati racing team, which had been more than a match for Ferrari, its Italian compatriot. For all its success, Maserati, then owned by the Orsi family, had run out of money. Though it subsequently raced sports cars, Maserati continued to decline. It teetered on the edge of bankruptcy and new shareholders and owners came and went until it fell into the hands of Fiat, Italy’s automotive giant, in 1993. After wondering what to do about a company with an exciting name that was making a small number of cars with a poor reputation for reliability, Fiat entrusted the management of Maserati to Ferrari, which it had owned since 1988.
Ferrari to set up first Japan subsidiary
The Italian sports car maker Ferrari will set up its first wholly owned Japanese subsidiary this year to boost its presence in the world's second biggest economy, officials said. Japan's overall automotive market is shrinking, with domestic auto sales falling to a 35-year low last year as the nation faced high gasoline prices, limited income growth and shrinking demand. But the country still remains a lucrative market for luxury goods. Under the plan, the Italian company will directly import its luxury sports cars in Japan through its subsidiary, to be established in July. Its current importer and sales agent, Cornes & Co. Ltd., will become an official Ferrari sales agent, Cornes said Friday in a statement. Cornes said it will continue "full cooperation" with Ferrari and provide sales and after-sale services in Japan for Ferrari cars.
Detroit Concept Cars Show Considerable Promise
Auto show concept cars are often radical design studies that end up being tamed before they are produced (if they are produced at all). But the crop of concepts at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit shows plenty of promise, especially crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) like the Cadillac Provoq and Ford Explorer America, which use alternative fuel sources to improve efficiency and lower emissions. The Detroit auto show is held at the Cobo Center and is open to the public January 19-27.
Audi R8 V12 TDI
Audi is well on its way to changing the perceptions of diesel engines with its R8 V12 TDI concept. This sports car looks and performs like a Ferrari, but averages 23 miles per gallon, roughly the same as a family sedan equipped with a V6 engine.
Ferrari may be in India by next year
The Monk may have sold his Ferrari, but rich Indians will not have to wait long to buy the iconic sports car. Ferrari cars, which are now owned by big boys of India Inc like Vijay Mallya and the Poonawallas, will hit the Indian roads by 2009. “We will arrive in India soon. It is too early to discuss, we should be in India only by 2009," said Davide Kluzer, a Ferrari spokesperson, speaking to the Hindustan Times. Ferrari, owned by Italian car major Fiat group, may come cheaper to Indians, who pay a hefty 120 per cent import duty on it now. “The base Ferrari model is available for Rs 2.2 crore, including the import duty. Upon entry in India, the costs may go down slightly by about a couple of lakhs," said Hormaz Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India. Sachin Tendulkar, who was gifted a Ferrari, was criticised for requesting an import duty waiver.
Drive a dream, for a limited time, with Orlando luxury-car club
For about $53,000, affluent Central Floridians can slip into the custom-fitted leather seats of a silver Saleen S7 sports car and test its reputation as one of the fastest cars on the road. But only for a year.
A pricey, annual membership to Luxautica -- a new car-share club inside a renovated art gallery near the Mall at Millenia -- allows the elite access to its private collection of 20 exotic cars, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris and a Rolls-Royce.
Orlando's Cary Erfurth, a partner with Island One Resorts time-share company, became the club's charter member.
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