Ferrari Confirms SUV Intentions, Vows to 'Reinvent' Segment

CARS.COM — Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed on a conference call that the storied Italian sports car manufacturer is “considering” expanding its vehicle lineup into utility vehicles, according to Bloomberg.

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Marchionne claims that Ferrari would “reinvent” the segment and do things its own way. If Ferrari imitates luxury automakers like BMW or Porsche, or even the ultra-luxury Bentley, “you have to shoot [him] first.” That’s not the first time Marchionne has stated that, but the inevitability of a Ferrari SUV might have enough weight to pull the proverbial trigger this time.

While luxury automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have had multiple vehicles in the SUV segment for decades now, ultra-luxury and exotic manufacturers — and whatever you want to call Tesla — have entered or plan to enter the segment in the coming years.

Tesla has its Model X and Bentley has its Bentayga. Lamborghini is planning to re-enter the market with the Urus (yes, there was the “Rambo Lambo” LM002, but we don’t talk about that). Rolls-Royce has a prototype that’s been caught testing at both the Nurburgring and in Los Angeles. Aston Martin has teased concept SUVs for years. Lesser luxury brands have gotten into the game, too: Maserati and Alfa Romeo both have new SUVs in the Levante and Stelvio, respectively.

When (not if ) Ferrari builds its utility vehicle, it will have the demand it’s looking for — and competition.