Ferrari says Chinese automakers have made remarkable progress.
But despite their rapid advances, they still trail in delivering driving emotion.
Maranello praises the technology, comfort, and features of today's Chinese cars.

The swift ascent of Chinese automakers has disrupted established industry players. The era when firms from China were mocked for copying designs and using inferior platforms is over. They are now challenging Western brands directly, drawing attention from all corners, including Ferrari, though the marque shows little worry about competition from emerging Chinese performance labels.

Ferrari's Global Marketing Director Emanuele Carando brings deep insight into premium Chinese vehicles through frequent visits to evaluate new models. In discussion with an Australian publication, he highlighted the strides made by Chinese manufacturers in recent decades yet pointed to one area where further development is needed.

'We think they are [making] incredible progress in terms of performance. I think they are still a little behind in terms of driving emotion. Developing a car which drives fast on the straight is not difficult. Developing a car which is incredibly precise when entering a curve, it stays flat, it doesn't pitch, it doesn't roll, and it gives you confidence and emotion ... this is what we try to do. You know you are driving a Ferrari, not only when you are driving fast.'

Ferrari remains confident that Chinese brands have not matched its cornering thrill. Still, Carando notes value in studying rival vehicles for benchmarks while pushing to refine future models and maintain the lead.

Ferrari asserts superiority in driving dynamics but acknowledges Chinese makers produce impressive vehicles strong in comfort, features, and technology. These stand as attractive options, yet the Prancing Horse brand views them as distinct from its own offerings.

'But I think the overall combination is very different versus what Ferrari produces. They [China] do develop cars which are kind of consumable. Every month a new car comes up, and your previous car becomes old.'

Ferrari cars offer greater longevity, bolstered by heritage that Chinese rivals cannot replicate. Sales figures in China show decline, with 584 units delivered in 2025 compared to 1,221 in 2023.

Through March this year, first-quarter China sales matched the prior year's 180 vehicles. Worldwide deliveries dipped slightly in Q1 2026 to 3,436 units.