
Chief executive Benedetto Vigna said the new model was a serious technology project, while Ferrari said petrol and hybrid vehicles will remain part of its lineup.
Ferrari shares dropped 6.1% in morning trading on the Milan exchange after the Italian luxury sports car maker unveiled the Luce, its first fully electric car priced at $640,000. The Rome launch highlighted a major strategic shift for the Maranello, Italy-based company, which had previously said it would not build a fully electric vehicle and would focus on petrol-powered hybrids. Chief executive Benedetto Vigna said the model took five years to develop and described it as a serious technology project. Ferrari said the car uses Ferrari-built electric motors on each wheel, with claimed 0-to-60 mph acceleration in 2.5 seconds, and that parts are built in-house to support long-term repairs and resale value. The unveiling triggered mixed public reaction, with criticism centered on the car’s nontraditional design. Ferrari design chief Flavio Manzoni said the styling is polarising and may gain wider acceptance over time. Vigna said the design reflects the requirements of new technology and added that Ferrari will continue offering petrol and hybrid models.