Identifying the Italian Manufacturer of Luxury Sports Cars

Ferrari is the Italian manufacturer of luxury sports cars. Based in Maranello and founded by Enzo Ferrari, the marque is synonymous with high-performance road cars, an illustrious Formula 1 legacy, and a brand identity rooted in Italian design and engineering excellence.

Contents

Background and Identity
Key Facts About Ferrari
Why the Question Can Be Confusing
Recent Developments
Notable Current and Recent Models
Summary

Background and Identity

Ferrari emerged from racing roots in the mid-20th century and began producing road cars in 1947. The company’s prancing horse emblem and Rosso Corsa red became global symbols of speed and exclusivity. Today, Ferrari balances limited production volumes with cutting-edge technology—ranging from hybrid drivetrains to advanced aerodynamics—while maintaining the craftsmanship and emotion that define Italian supercar culture.

Key Facts About Ferrari

The following points highlight Ferrari’s most important attributes, from its corporate structure to its product and racing footprint.

Founded: 1939 (as Auto Avio Costruzioni); first Ferrari-badged car built in 1947.

Headquarters: Maranello, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Corporate structure: Ferrari N.V. (incorporated in the Netherlands, principal operations in Italy) is publicly listed (ticker: RACE) on the NYSE and Borsa Italiana.

Leadership: CEO Benedetto Vigna (since 2021).

Core identity: Low-volume, high-margin luxury sports cars and supercars emphasizing performance, design, and heritage.

Racing: Scuderia Ferrari is the most successful and longest-running team in Formula 1, central to the brand’s technology and image.

Electrification: Expanding hybrid lineup and building an “e-building” in Maranello to support production of electrified vehicles; first all‑electric Ferrari is planned for 2025.

Recent models: 296 GTB/GTS (hybrid V6), SF90 Stradale/Spider (plug‑in hybrid V8), Roma/Roma Spider (grand touring), Purosangue (four-door, four-seat performance crossover), and the 12Cilindri/12Cilindri Spider (V12 grand tourers unveiled in 2024).

Taken together, these facts underscore Ferrari’s blend of heritage and innovation, positioning it as a benchmark of Italian luxury performance.

Why the Question Can Be Confusing

Italy hosts several renowned makers of luxury and high-performance cars, which can blur the reference. Here are prominent peers often mentioned alongside Ferrari.

Lamborghini (Sant’Agata Bolognese): Maker of exotic supercars (Huracán, Revuelto) and the Urus SUV; part of the Volkswagen Group.

Maserati (Modena): Luxury performance brand (MC20, GranTurismo) under Stellantis, blending grand touring comfort with speed.

Pagani (San Cesario sul Panaro): Boutique hypercar manufacturer (Huayra, Utopia) focused on craftsmanship and extreme performance.

Alfa Romeo (Turin/Modena): Historically significant Italian marque producing sporty road cars (Giulia Quadrifoglio, 33 Stradale limited series), though less “supercar-focused.”

While these companies are noteworthy, “the Italian manufacturer of luxury sports cars” most commonly refers to Ferrari due to its singular racing pedigree, consistent supercar portfolio, and global brand recognition.

Recent Developments

Ferrari has accelerated its product cadence and technology roadmap. In 2024, it revealed the 12Cilindri and 12Cilindri Spider, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to the naturally aspirated V12, even as hybrids like the SF90 and 296 range remain central to performance and emissions goals. The company is expanding facilities in Maranello to support hybrid and upcoming fully electric production. In Formula 1, Ferrari recorded multiple race wins in the 2024 season, reinforcing the competitive link between track and road.

Notable Current and Recent Models

The lineup below illustrates Ferrari’s breadth—from mid-engine hybrids to V12 grand tourers and a performance four-door.

SF90 Stradale/Spider: Plug-in hybrid V8 flagship with all-wheel drive and track-derived tech.

296 GTB/GTS: Mid-engine plug-in hybrid V6, combining efficiency with high output.

Roma/Roma Spider: Front mid-engine grand tourers emphasizing elegance and daily usability.

Purosangue: Four-door, four-seat performance crossover with a V12, preserving Ferrari character in a new format.

12Cilindri/12Cilindri Spider (2024): Latest V12 GTs, celebrating Ferrari’s naturally aspirated heritage.

This portfolio shows Ferrari’s strategy: sustain iconic engines, integrate electrification where it enhances performance, and enter new segments without diluting brand DNA.

How to Refer to the Company

Operationally, “Ferrari S.p.A.” is the Italian automaker based in Maranello. The publicly listed holding entity is “Ferrari N.V.,” incorporated in the Netherlands, with shares traded under the symbol RACE. In general use, “Ferrari” suffices and correctly denotes the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer.

Summary

Ferrari is the Italian manufacturer of luxury sports cars, renowned for its Maranello roots, Formula 1 success, and meticulously engineered road cars. While Italy is home to several elite performance brands, Ferrari’s heritage, product excellence, and global cultural impact make it the definitive answer to the question.

Which Italian car maker is known for luxury sports style?

Prominent Italian manufacturers of luxury sports vehicles include Ferrari, known for its high-performance cars, and Lamborghini, a producer of luxury sports cars and SUVs. Other Italian luxury marques are Maserati, offering a blend of performance and executive luxury, and Alfa Romeo, with a long history of sports sedans and SUVs.

Here’s a look at some of these brands:

Ferrari: Opens in new tabFounded in 1939, Ferrari is an iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello.
Lamborghini: Opens in new tabThis manufacturer of luxury sports cars and SUVs is based in Sant’Agata Bolognese.
Maserati: Opens in new tabEstablished in 1914, Maserati is known for luxury vehicles that combine performance with executive luxury.
Alfa Romeo: Opens in new tabWith a 115-year history, Alfa Romeo offers a range of sports sedans and luxury SUVs.

What is the Italian manufacturer of luxury sports vehicles?

Ferrari: Opens in new tabFounded in 1939, Ferrari is an iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello.
Lamborghini: Opens in new tabThis manufacturer of luxury sports cars and SUVs is based in Sant’Agata Bolognese.
Maserati: Opens in new tabEstablished in 1914, Maserati is known for luxury vehicles that combine performance with executive luxury.
Alfa Romeo: Opens in new tabWith a 115-year history, Alfa Romeo offers a range of sports sedans and luxury SUVs.

What is a famous Italian racing and sports car manufacturer?

Italian sports car brands are renowned for their long-standing heritage and the evolution that has kept them at the forefront of the automotive world. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo, among others, have each carved out their unique identities and followings.

Is Alfa Romeo owned by Ferrari?

No, Ferrari does not own Alfa Romeo. Alfa Romeo is currently owned by Stellantis, a multinational automotive group formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Groupe PSA. While Ferrari and Alfa Romeo share a historical connection, with Enzo Ferrari initially founding his Scuderia Ferrari racing team under the Alfa Romeo banner, they are separate entities and have not been under the same ownership since the formation of Stellantis.

Historical Connection

Enzo Ferrari founded the Scuderia Ferrari racing team in 1929, which functioned as Alfa Romeo’s in-house racing team.
Enzo Ferrari left Alfa Romeo in 1939 to start his own racing team and later established the Ferrari brand.

Ownership Today

Alfa Romeo was owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) before its merger.
In 2021, FCA merged with Groupe PSA to form Stellantis.
Ferrari became a separate, publicly traded company and is no longer a part of the Stellantis group.