Marcus Chen
Ferrari has a strict no-pink rule for its cars. While the company allows for extensive customisation, it draws the line at pink, which it believes does not fit its brand ethos and standards. This rule extends to shades close to pink on the Pantone colour chart, such as salmon or rose. The company has even blacklisted celebrities from acquiring its vehicles for making cosmetic changes to their Ferraris, such as wrapping a Ferrari 458 Spider in a meme-inspired custom vinyl wrap.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company policy | "We do reject the exterior colour pink" |
| Reason | It's not in line with our brand ethos and our standards |
| Brand rule | "No Pink. No Pokémon Ferraris!" |
| Consequence of painting a Ferrari pink | Blacklisting |
| Pink Ferraris in video games | Not allowed |
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What You'll Learn
Ferrari's brand ethos
Ferrari is a brand steeped in history and tradition, with a strict set of protocols and an exclusive club of owners. The Italian company has a meticulous selection process for potential buyers, and it is not as simple as walking into a dealership and buying a car.
The Ferrari brand is synonymous with luxury, performance, and style. The iconic "Racing Red" colour, introduced in 1947, is a testament to this, with the brand introducing dozens of shades of red over the years. Ferrari has a rich heritage in motor racing, and this colour was originally mandated by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), which required all Italian racing cars to be painted red. This colour has become an integral part of the brand's DNA and is often the first choice for new buyers.
According to Herbert Appleroth, Ferrari Australasia's President and CEO, "We do reject the exterior colour pink... You can, of course, paint your car pink after you've bought it, but you'll never see a pink car from us because it's not in line with our brand ethos and our standards. It just doesn't fit into our whole ethos to be honest. It's a brand rule. No Pink. No Pokémon Ferraris!"
Ferrari's stance on pink is likely due to the colour's poor resale value and its potential to lower the value of the brand. The company expects its owners to keep their cars desirable and pleasing to look at, and pink is often seen as a less popular colour choice for motorists. Additionally, Ferrari has a history of expecting certain standards from its owners, such as not covering up the Ferrari badge and not making aftermarket modifications that affect the vehicle's performance or output.
In conclusion, Ferrari's brand ethos revolves around exclusivity, performance, and style, with a strict set of protocols and expectations for its owners. The company's stance on pink cars showcases its commitment to maintaining its brand image and reputation, ensuring that its vehicles remain desirable and in line with the traditional colours and styles that have become synonymous with the Ferrari name.
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The history of Ferrari's red cars
Ferrari has become synonymous with the colour red. The Italian manufacturer's first car, the Auto Avio 815, was painted red in 1947, adhering to the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)'s mandate that racing cars be painted according to their country of origin. Italian racing cars were red. This regulatory requirement became a tradition for Ferrari, with the famous "Ferrari red" becoming a symbol of the brand and its racing heritage.
While not all Ferraris are red, the colour has become iconic for the brand. The unified colour scheme mandated by the FIA continued until 1968, but Ferrari has continued to embrace the Rosso Corsa ("Racing Red") shade, with over forty varieties of red emerging since the brand's creation. These include Scuderia, Roma, Bordeaux, Cherry, Monza, Vivo, and the newest shade, Rosso Portofino.
Ferrari's CEO, Herbert Appleroth, has stated that every Ferrari is "customised, personalised, or bespoke", and the company goes to great lengths to create unique vehicles for its buyers. However, there are limits to the level of customisation, particularly when it comes to colour. Ferrari has ruled out certain colours, most notably pink, which Appleroth states does not "fit into [the company's] whole ethos".
While Ferrari cannot prevent owners from repainting their cars after purchase, it is frowned upon and may have consequences, such as the owner being prevented from purchasing another new Ferrari. The brand's Tailor-Made programme allows for personalisation, but owners rarely opt for bold finishes, and certain colours, like pink, are off-limits.
Ferrari's red has become a timeless symbol of the brand, with the colour representing passion, speed, performance, and the competitive spirit associated with the manufacturer.
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Other banned colours
Ferrari has a strict set of rules when it comes to the colours its cars can be painted. The Italian sports car company has banned the colour pink from its lineup, with Ferrari Australasia CEO Herbert Appleroth stating that "It just doesn't fit into our whole ethos to be honest. It's a brand rule. No Pink. No Pokémon Ferraris!".
While Ferrari cannot stop people from painting their cars pink after purchase, it is frowned upon and could have consequences. One famous instance of Ferrari taking action on a buyer is the case of Joel Zimmerman, also known as Deadmau5, who had his Ferrari 458 Italia wrapped with an image of an internet meme, Nyan Cat. Ferrari sent a cease-and-desist letter, and the car was reverted to its original state.
In addition to pink, Ferrari has also banned any shade even remotely close to it on the Pantone colour chart, such as salmon or rose. Ferrari's first car, the 125 S, was painted in 1947 in the famous shade of red called "Rosso Corsa", which was mandated by the former Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) based on the country the car came from. Italian racing cars were painted red, and this colour became iconic to the Ferrari brand.
While Ferrari offers extensive personalisation options for customers, there are some colours that are not in their DNA and are more suited to other brands. The company has a reputation to uphold and is very picky about its clientele. As such, it is unlikely that they will allow any colours that are too bold or garish, such as bright yellows or neon greens, as these would not fit in with their brand ethos and standards.
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Ferrari's expectations of owners
Ferrari has certain expectations of its owners, which are largely centred around maintaining the brand's exclusivity and prestige. Firstly, Ferrari expects its owners to uphold the brand's aesthetic standards and not modify their vehicles in ways that deviate from the company's taste. This includes a ban on painting Ferraris pink, which the company's Australasia CEO, Herbert Appleroth, has attributed to the brand's ethos and standards. Appleroth has stated that pink ""doesn't fit into [their] whole ethos" and that it is a "brand rule". Ferrari's Tailor Made programme allows for personalisation, but compared to rivals, owners rarely opt for bold finishes.
Ferrari also expects its owners to refrain from aftermarket modifications or engine work that significantly alters the vehicle's performance or output. Owners are also expected to preserve the visibility of the Ferrari badge. The company takes these expectations seriously, even sending a cease and desist letter to EDM musician Deadmau5 when he customised his Ferrari 458 Spider with a "Purrari" vinyl wrap and custom floor mats.
Ferrari's selection process for potential buyers reflects its desire to maintain an exclusive club of owners who share the company's taste and values. The company prides itself on its meticulous selection process, ensuring that only those who meet their standards can join the family of Ferrari owners. This exclusivity extends beyond the initial purchase, as Ferrari also has a blacklist of celebrities who are banned from acquiring their vehicles, including the Kardashians, who were blacklisted for "not taking care of their Ferraris".
Ferrari also expects its owners to value the brand's history and heritage. The iconic "racing red" colour, which dates back to the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA) country-based colour codes for racing cars in 1947, remains a key element of the brand's identity. Ferrari has introduced dozens of shades of red, all of which pay homage to the brand's roots in motorsports.
Finally, Ferrari expects its owners to embrace the lifestyle and experiences associated with the brand. This includes offering personalised tours of the Ferrari factory, exclusive events like the Monaco Grand Prix, driver training courses, and unique experiences such as balsamic tastings. These offerings reinforce the sense of exclusivity and community that Ferrari fosters among its owners.
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Other car brands that allow pink cars
While Ferrari has a strict "no pink" rule for its cars, other car brands do offer pink models. Here are some examples:
Fiat 500 in Pink
The Fiat 500 in pink is an iconic choice and is often associated with the Barbie doll. The manufacturer has released several special editions, including ones that commemorate the anniversary of Barbie. The pink Fiat 500 is a fashionable and playful option for car buyers.
Volkswagen Beetle in Fuchsia Metallic
The Volkswagen Beetle offered a Fuchsia Metallic colour option in an attempt to revive the model's popularity. While the Beetle ultimately discontinued, the pink colour choice was a unique twist on this classic car.
Porsche
Porsche has offered a dark pink colour for its cars, adding an eye-catching and unique touch to their vehicles.
Jeep Wrangler in Tuscadero Pink
The Jeep Wrangler in Tuscadero Pink was initially released as a limited edition, but due to high demand, it has become a permanent colour option. The pink hue suits the Wrangler's design and helps it stand out among 4x4 vehicles.
Maserati Grecale
Maserati released a special edition Grecale in pink to coincide with the release of the Barbie movie in 2023. This model was auctioned off for charity, combining style with support for a good cause.
Nissan Micra C+C
The Nissan Micra C+C was introduced to raise money for breast cancer research. It featured a soft pink colour, embracing girl power and providing a fun and unique style.
While Ferrari sticks to its traditional colours and brand ethos, these car brands have embraced pink, offering unique and fashionable options for car enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
Ferrari has a brand rule that forbids the colour pink for its cars. According to Ferrari Australasia's President and CEO Herbert Appleroth, "It just doesn't fit into our whole ethos to be honest. It's a brand rule. No Pink."
Yes, you can paint your Ferrari pink after you've purchased it. However, doing so might get you blacklisted by Ferrari, preventing you from ever buying a new Ferrari again.
Pink is forbidden by Ferrari because it is not in line with their brand ethos and standards. Additionally, pink Ferraris may lower the value of the brand and have poor resale value.
