Ferretti’s CEO Alberto Galassi fired back at Weichai, the Chinese state‑owned conglomerate that owns 39 per cent of the yachtmaker, accusing the group of a “lack of industrial vision” and risk‑aversion that throttles growth. Galassi said management changes at Weichai have tightened decision‑making and hurt the company’s ability to act in the past year, returns.

At the heart of the dispute lies a proxy battle set for the May 14 annual meeting, where Weichai and Czech billionaire Karel Komárek, who owns 23 per cent, have filed rival board slates. Weichai proposes replacing Galassi with Stassi Anastassov, former Duracell boss, while Komárek seeks a board that mirrors ownership and pushes aggressive M&A.

Galassi blasted Weichai’s divestment of the security‑boat unit and the reversal of a 2024 share‑buyback, calling the moves “grave mistakes” that confused investors. He argues the group’s cautious capital allocation and failure to back distributor acquisitions deny Ferretti a chance to grow amid a 30 per cent drop in orders projected for the first quarter.

With shares having risen roughly 40 per cent since the proxy fight erupted, investors now face a choice: accept Weichai’s conservative strategy or back Komárek’s vision of board parity and decisive acquisitions. The outcome will shape Ferretti’s ability to navigate a volatile market and determine whether the yachtmaker can sustain premium pricing for years ahead.