Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna Sees Long-Term Potential in India’s Young Market
While India currently represents a small fraction of the global super sports car market, Ferrari chief executive officer Benedetto Vigna views the country as a vital region for future engagement. Speaking at IIT Bombay’s E-Summit 2025, Vigna outlined the Prancing Horse’s strategy for the subcontinent, emphasizing the importance of establishing a presence before the market matures.
According to a report by Hormazd Sorabjee of Autocar India, Vigna stresses that despite the niche volume caused by high taxation, the alignment between Ferrari’s philosophy and India’s entrepreneurial spirit makes it a market of great interest.
A Significantly Younger Demographic
One of the most striking statistics revealed by Vigna is the age profile of Indian Ferrari owners. While the brand usually caters to an older demographic globally, India bucks this trend significantly.
Vigna noted that while the global average age of a Ferrari owner remains stable at around 51, the average age in India is just 40. Furthermore, prospective buyers in India are even younger, averaging around 38 years old. This aligns with global shifts where nearly 40 percent of the brand’s new clients are under 40, but India is clearly leading this charge toward youth. This younger customer base suggests a long-term relationship with the brand, driven by a new generation of wealth creators.
Changing Infrastructure and the Purosangue Appeal
The CEO highlighted that the evolving landscape of Indian infrastructure is directly influencing buyer behavior and model preference. Vigna observed that professionals returning to India from the US, along with local business leaders, are increasingly utilizing better roads.
This shift has bolstered the appeal of the Ferrari Purosangue, the brand’s first four-door, four-seat model. Vigna mentioned that clients appreciate the ability to travel with four people, making the Purosangue a practical choice for the new infrastructure without sacrificing the brand’s performance DNA.
Indian Owners are ‘Racers’ at Heart
Unlike some markets where luxury vehicles are purchased primarily for status or comfort, Vigna categorizes Indian clients as true enthusiasts.
“I have to say, based on the number of clients I know in India, that Indians are more about clients who like to race and enjoy the car,” Vigna stated. He noted that many Indian owners fall into the “racer” category—those who enjoy high-speed track driving and utilizing the car for its engineered purpose. While some clients prefer the safety and comfort of automatic modes, the dominant sentiment among Indian buyers is a desire for performance.
Expanding Presence and Future Outlook
Ferrari currently operates three points of sale in India: Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bengaluru. Vigna emphasized the necessity of proximity, stating that it is crucial to be close to a small market to help it grow.
The history of Ferrari in India is deeper than many realize, with the first model—a 275 GTB—arriving in 1967. Vigna, who has been visiting India since just before 2000, expressed admiration for the country’s consistent entrepreneurial energy.
As the Indian luxury car market moves toward an estimated 40,000–45,000 units annually in 2025, Ferrari plans to stay closely engaged, banking on the rising number of high-net-worth individuals and the unique passion of Indian automotive enthusiasts.
News Source: Hormazd Sorabjee, Autocar India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the average age of a Ferrari owner in India? According to Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna, the average age of a Ferrari owner in India is 40, which is significantly younger than the global average of 51. Prospective buyers in India are even younger, averaging 38.
2. What are Ferrari’s future plans for the Indian market? Ferrari views India as a market with good potential due to wealth creation and infrastructure development. The brand plans to maintain a close proximity to the market through its points of sale in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi to foster growth as the market expands.
3. Which Ferrari model is gaining popularity due to Indian infrastructure? The Ferrari Purosangue is gaining traction because its four-door, four-seat configuration allows owners to utilize improved Indian road infrastructure with family or friends while enjoying the car’s performance.
4. When did the first Ferrari arrive in India? The first Ferrari, a 275 GTB, arrived in India in 1967.
5. How does the Ferrari CEO describe Indian customers? Benedetto Vigna describes Indian customers primarily as “racers” and enthusiasts who enjoy driving their cars at high speeds on racetracks, rather than just using them for low-speed comfort.
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