Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer, has left the company after 16 years — a departure that comes just weeks after the supercar maker faced a fierce backlash over the launch of its first all-electric vehicle, the Luce.
The Italian firm announced Galliera’s exit this week, confirming he would be replaced in July by Massimiliano Di Silvestre, the former head of BMW Italy. Ferrari thanked Galliera for his service, stating he had “decided to embark on a new chapter in his professional journey — a decision shared with the company some time ago.”
“Ferrari marketing chief Enrico Galliera quits after 16 years following backlash over Luce EV launch.”
The Luce, unveiled in May with a price tag of $640,000 (£485,552), was widely ridiculed online, spawning a wave of internet memes and negative reactions. Its design, the work of iPhone designer Sir Jony Ive, was publicly criticised by Italy’s deputy prime minister and transport minister Matteo Salvini, who previously served as Ferrari’s chairman. The company’s shares plunged 8% the day after the car’s unveiling.
Ferrari’s statement on Galliera’s departure made no mention of the Luce launch. Chief executive Benedetto Vigna said Galliera “has played a significant role in the company’s growth and in strengthening the Ferrari brand worldwide.” He added: “He has the gratitude of the entire Ferrari team and my personal best wishes for the future.” Galliera declined to comment further.
Since taking the marketing role in 2010, Galliera oversaw the management of which clients could purchase Ferrari’s highly sought-after vehicles and was involved in several landmark moments: the launch of the LaFerrari, the company’s first production hybrid hypercar, in 2013; Ferrari’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2015 and in Milan the following year. The departure leaves a question mark over how the company will handle the reputational fallout from its first electric car.