Key facts
- Ferrari's chief marketing and commercial officer, Enrico Galliera, is departing after 16 years.
- Galliera's departure follows criticism of the company's first electric car, the Luce.
Enrico Galliera, Ferrari's chief marketing and commercial officer, is leaving after 16 years, weeks after the launch of the company's first electric car, the Luce, faced criticism.
The departure of a long-serving marketing chief following criticism of a new product launch highlights the challenges luxury brands face in balancing tradition with innovation, particularly in the transition to electric vehicles.
Enrico Galliera, Ferrari's chief marketing and commercial officer, is stepping down after 16 years with the luxury automaker. His departure comes just weeks after the launch of the company's first all-electric vehicle, the Luce, which faced significant backlash and criticism.
Ferrari announced this week that Galliera would leave his position, with Massimiliano Di Silvestre, formerly of BMW Italy, set to take over in July. The company expressed gratitude for Galliera's service, stating he played a significant role in the company's growth and the strengthening of the Ferrari brand globally. Galliera's responsibilities included managing client access to the brand's exclusive vehicles.
During his tenure, which began in 2010, Galliera was involved in key product launches, including the LaFerrari hybrid hypercar in 2013. The company also went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2015 and in Milan the following year. However, the recent unveiling of the $640,000 Luce model generated considerable negative reaction and online memes, with its design, conceived by Sir Jony Ive, drawing criticism from figures like Italy's deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini.