Ferrari unveiled the Luce, its first fully electric model, priced at €550,000. The futuristic shape, co‑designed with former Apple chief Jony Ive and industrial designer Marc Newson, sparked fury among purists, politicians and former executives. Transport minister Matteo Salvini warned Enzo Ferrari would be “turning in his grave,” underscoring the cultural shock of abandoning the marque’s combustion legacy in Italy.

The backlash intensifies scrutiny of John Elkann, executive chair of Ferrari and head of the Agnelli‑controlled Exor group. Critics cite a decade of asset sales—Iveco, Magneti Marelli, and the Fiat‑Stellantis merger—that they say have eroded Italy’s industrial base. Ferrari alone represents roughly one‑third of Exor’s portfolio, making the Luce’s reception a barometer for Elkann’s broader strategy in the global market.

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna defended the project, citing pre‑orders from existing and younger clients accustomed to Tesla‑style quietness. Piero Ferrari, holding a 10 % stake, urged skeptics to test drive the car. With the Luce positioned as a hedge against the decline of combustion sales, the EV could reshape Ferrari’s revenue mix despite domestic criticism in upcoming financial reports and market.