Ferrari’s long-awaited pivot to electric has backfired. Shares in the Italian marque plunged 8% yesterday following the unveiling of its first full-electric model, a move that sources say has rattled investors and left the door wide open for British rivals. Documents obtained by this newsroom reveal internal concerns at Maranello over the vehicle’s weight and range, with one engineer calling it a “fiscal and engineering compromise.”
Meanwhile, Aston Martin and Bentley are laughing all the way to the bank. Both British luxury carmakers posted gains in early trading, with Aston’s stock rising 3.2% on the news. “Ferrari has thrown away its heritage for a subsidy-chasing strategy,” said a London-based analyst who tracks the sector. “British brands are doubling down on hybrid luxury and bespoke engineering – and the market is rewarding them.”
The Ferrari EV, named the “Modena E,” reportedly tips the scales at over 2.3 tonnes, a figure that has set alarm bells ringing among purists and pragmatists alike. A leaked internal memo seen by this journalist warns that the car’s battery pack “significantly alters handling dynamics” and that early test drivers complained of a “detached, heavy feel.” Ferrari’s CEO, Benedetto Vigna, attempted to spin the launch as a “new chapter,” but the market wasn't buying. Trading volumes spiked in the hours after the reveal, with nearly 4 million shares changing hands – triple the daily average.
But the real story is in the supply chain. Sources confirm that Ferrari has locked in battery supply agreements with a Chinese manufacturer, raising concerns about geopolitical risk and quality control. “The British have kept their supply chains closer to home,” said a former Ferrari board member who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Aston uses a UK-based battery developer backed by Saudi money, and Bentley is sourcing from a Swiss firm. It’s not just about the car – it’s about who controls the tech.”
This isn’t the first time Ferrari has stumbled. The company’s stock has been on a downward slope for months, shedding nearly 15% since January. The EV launch was supposed to be a reset. Instead, it’s become a referendum on the brand’s direction. Investors are now asking whether Ferrari can maintain its sky-high margins – over 28% in the last quarter – as it transitions from V12 engines to lithium-ion cells.
Bentley, too, has its own electric ambitions: the brand plans to go all-electric by 2030. But its rollout is more cautious. A Bentley insider told this newsroom: “We are not rushing. Our customers value luxury and craftsmanship over 0-60 times. Ferrari has pushed the panic button.”
The “Great British Racing Green” renaissance is real. Aston Martin’s new Valhalla plug-in hybrid, with a starting price of £850,000, has a waiting list stretching into 2026. Bentley’s Flying Spur hybrid is outselling expectations. And niche players like Morgan and Gordon Murray are carving out exclusive niches. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Modena E starts at £410,000 – but with dealers reporting cancelled pre-orders, the discount talks have already begun.
The bottom line: Ferrari’s misstep is a gift to its British competitors. Buying Ferrari stock now is like buying a ticket on the Titanic. The British are coming, and they aren’t bringing an electric blanket.
