It's a real earthquake in the hushed world of European luxury cars: Ferrari is in serious talks with Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor about sharing an electric car platform. The information, officially revealed by Zhu Jiangming, Leapmotor's CEO, at the Shanghai Motor Show, confirms the company's commitment to its customers. a rumour we already mentioned last February on Italpassionwhen Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna was spotted visiting Leapmotor's Hangzhou facility in China.
Just a courtesy call? Not really. As Milano Finanza has just confirmed, the visit was in fact a prelude to concrete negotiations: Ferrari is keen to explore the possibility of developing a future electric model based on Leapmotor architecture, the same architecture already chosen by Stellantis, a 20 % shareholder in Leapmotor, to penetrate markets with low-cost models.
A strategic turning point for Ferrari
Ferrari has always built its cars around in-house chassis, in-house developed engines, and unrivalled artisanal DNA. So why consider sharing a Chinese platform? The answer can be summed up in one word: electrification.
Ferrari will present its very first 100 % electric model in October 2025. But to meet deadlines and minimize development costs, even the giants sometimes have to make concessions. And Leapmotor's EV technology is mature, cost-effective and already in widespread use.. In 2024, the Chinese automaker sold almost 294,000 vehicles, with growth of 104 % and a net profit in the last quarter. Impressive for a brand created in 2015.
Three possible scenarios
The exact nature of the current agreement remains a secret, but three hypotheses are emerging:
1. A Leapmotor-based electric Ferrari?
Shock scenario: Ferrari could use the Leapmotor modular platform to develop an electric range more quickly. Although it may seem incompatible with Maranello's philosophy, the transition to electric vehicles is reshuffling the deck, even for the most prestigious brands.
2. Ferrari reserved for the Chinese market
Another possibility is to develop specific electric models for China, a strategic but difficult market for European brands. A more "accessible" Ferrari model (all things considered), produced locally, could help appeal to a young, technology-savvy clientele.
3. Leapmotor technology for Maserati?
A more audacious but intriguing hypothesis: what if Ferrari were negotiating on behalf of Maserati? Remember that Stellantis (owner of Maserati), Ferrari and Leapmotor have a common shareholder: Exor, via John Elkann. The brand with the trident is struggling to get off the ground in electric vehicles, and sharing technology with Leapmotor via Ferrari could enable a rapid turnaround...
The timing is troubling
The first electric Ferrari is due to be unveiled on October 9, 2025. The fact that these discussions are being made public now is not insignificant: the Leapmotor platform could play a role, directly or indirectly, in this launch. But how far is Ferrari prepared to go to stay in the electric race?
Leapmotor-based electric Ferraris? The idea seemed inconceivable just a few months ago. And yet, reality is catching up with fiction, at a time when even the greatest have to deal with speed of execution, cost optimization and technological expertise from Asia. Whatever the outcome of the talks, this moment marks a historic turning point for Ferrari.
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Nonsense!! @@
You can also see that if the electric Ferrari fails or sells poorly, well, it won't cost them too much.