Ferrari Maserati North America announces the opening today of Penske Wynn Ferrari Maserati, located on the ground floor of the newly opened Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club. The dealership will be operated by UnitedAuto Group, Inc., (NYSE: UAG) a FORTUNE 500 automotive specialty retailer.

Scheduled to attend the opening are Amedeo Felisa, Deputy Managing Director of Ferrari SpA; Maurizio Parlato, President and CEO of Ferrari North America; Steve Wynn, Chairman of the Board/Chief Executive Officer of Wynn Resorts and Roger Penske, Chairman of UAG. The new retail point is a direct result of the allure of Ferrari and Maserati brands and the strong sales success of Maserati since returning to the United States market.

The showroom will display each brand separately and measures approximately 10,000 square feet (950 square metres). Within the retail facility there are five rotating turntables displaying new Ferrari and Maserati models. Of particular note is a state-of-the-art media room which allows customers to see exactly how their car will look while they are placing their order. The great legacy of Ferrari will be honoured by also having on display vintage cars on a regular basis.

The exclusive area for pre-owned cars is roughly double the size of the new car showroom, having the ability to display 35 cars. The service area boasts seven service bays which will support both Ferrari and Maserati. In addition, there are two full detailing bays on site. The entire facility will employ 28 employees, with store hours extended to 10 pm.

Ferrari Opens First Official Ferrari Store in North America

Adjacent to the dealership Ferrari will open the first official Ferrari Store in North America. Located within the hotel as part of a collection of upscale retailers, the 3,500 square foot (325 square metres) facility will exclusively offer the full range of original Ferrari products, including racing memorabilia, clothing, leather goods, high quality time pieces, scale models, toys and sports goods. Items have a universal appeal, ideal for customers of the marque, the general public, fans and children – who have an entire area set aside for products just for them. Apart from a place to buy, the idea is that the Store will become a meeting point for all fans and enthusiasts of the Prancing Horse from around the world.

The Las Vegas Ferrari Store follows other locations recently opened around the globe, the most recent being in Rome and Shanghai in China. The first store was opened in the spring of 2003 just across from the historic Ferrari Factory in Maranello, Italy. Other locations are in the Bologna and Milano-Malpensa airports in Italy.

Technology and reminders of past successes mean that visitors can immerse themselves in the most exciting moments of the company's history. Also on display are parts of the Granturismo cars, including full engines and other elements of Ferrari design.

The Store is unusual in that it is an innovative commercial space, one that has been planned to become a point of reference for all Prancing Horse fans. Inside over one thousand articles will be on display which will appeal to the whole range of Ferrari fans, from the youngest to those who have memories of Ferrari from decades past.

Ferrari in North America

2004 became the 12th consecutive record year of sales for Ferrari North America ending with over 1440 units retailed versus 1350 the previous year, with an increase of 7%. This success is no surprise, given that it was the 50th Anniversary for Ferrari in the United States and that the North American branch of the house of the Prancing Horse hosted a number of special events, and took part in tributes to its special connection to this market.

Celebrations began with the first ever world unveiling of a Ferrari on American soil, continued with the Empire State Building being lit in Rosso Corsa in Ferrari’s honour in April, and with the historic collection of approximately 2000 Ferraris over the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance weekend in mid August – continuing into the November opening of the Park Avenue Corporate Showroom.

North America is the most important market for Ferrari, representing approximately 30% of the marque’s worldwide sales. Ferrari’s top car market in North America is California, which accounts for 27% of sales, followed by the Northeast with 16%, Florida with 12%, Texas and Chicago with 7% each.

The Ferrari dealer network has grown in 2005, expanding to 36 dealers (32 in the United States, four in Canada) with the addition of Las Vegas and the recently opened location in Silicon Valley, California.

Activities for Ferrari Owners

Ferrari North America organizes a number of special events and racing activities each year to give Ferrari owners the opportunity to share together the passion of driving their special automobiles. This year Ferrari North America will host its 7th Challenge Rally in California’s Napa Valley from 8-13 August. In 2004, as in 2003, the Rally reached its limit for participation with 50 Ferraris – everything from historic Ferraris from the 1950s to modern super cars such as the Enzo Ferrari. The 2005 route will feature the finest roads, in this historic wine making region of California, sometimes closed to the public for timed special sessions. The rally ends again in Monterey just in time for the start of the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance and surrounding festivities.