The Italian luxury car industry is concentrated in Motor Valley, the region around the city of Bologna. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati. Name a luxury brand and it is most likely produced there. From Motor Valley is prior to the European decision heavily lobbied for an exception to the rules.
That was successful to some extent: brands that produce less than 10,000 vehicles a year were given an extra year to ban internal combustion engines. In addition, they do not have to meet the interim deadlines set by the European Parliament in 2025 and 2030.
But the car companies are not satisfied. Because electric cars have fewer parts, and therefore require less work to assemble, he fears Motor Valley job loss. The industry includes not only car manufacturers themselves, but also smaller companies that make parts. In total there are more than 16,000, employing as many as 90,000 people.
For that reason, the Italian government is also opposing the plans. Last week, Prime Minister Draghi signed a document asking for a longer transition period to “avoid disproportionate and unnecessary costs to the auto industry and consumers.” According to Draghi, the fact that the new rules also apply to luxury cars has “a negative effect on the employment and innovation potential of small manufacturers.”
Maserati is over
Not all manufacturers agree. At Maserati, they are happy to show the production hall of their hybrid model MC20, and they are confidently looking forward to the launch of their first electric sports car next year. “It has 1,200 horsepower and the batteries are positioned exactly so that the performance and weight distribution are the same as on a car with an internal combustion engine,” said executive Francesco Tonon.
Tonon emphasizes that his brand is not cooperating with the lobby out Motor Valley. “We knew five years ago that it was only a matter of time until we had to make the transition, and we were fully committed to it. Meeting the European deadlines depends on when a brand started the transition.”
Moreover, according to Tonon, there is indeed a market for electric luxury sports cars. “There are clear benefits for the customer. The performance, but also the possibility to make a sustainable choice. That is an important trend in luxury.”
Buy time
Ferrari fan Francesco Barone sees the future less rosy. “I certainly believe that the world should become greener, but then you should not start with the sports cars. Those cars make up such a small part of the production, and drive so few kilometers per year, that I do not think that green luxury cars greening the planet.”
European government leaders are expected to ratify the European Parliament’s decision in the autumn. Barone hopes that the Italian government can buy some more time.
Whether he will ever buy an electric Ferrari is hard to say. “Right now I say no. But the future is the future. Maybe I’ll keep one with petrol in my garage and buy an electric one in an attempt to adapt.”
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