Ferrari has once again stolen the attention of the automotive world after launching its first electric car known as the Ferrari Luce EV.
However, this time, the attention received was not all positive as the design of the new model sparked heated debate among loyal fans of the Italian supercar brand.
Surprisingly, the Ferrari Luce EV was designed by former Apple designer Jony Ive with Marc Newson through their famous design firm, LoveFrom.
The model is also the first Ferrari to come with a five-seat configuration, different from Ferrari's traditional identity which is synonymous with two-seater or four-seater high-performance cars.
After the official design was revealed, social media and automotive forums began to be filled with criticism from netizens and Ferrari fans who considered the model no longer to have the 'Ferrari look'.
Many described the Luce EV design as too soft, more resembling a regular family sedan and missing the aggressive aura that has long been the identity of the Ferrari brand.
In fact, some internet users compared the model to the Honda Accord, Tesla and also mocked it as a "luxury toaster" because of its design that is considered too modern and minimalist.
The negative sentiment also affected the market when NYSE:RACE shares were reported to have fallen almost 8%, thus causing billions of dollars in the company's market value to disappear in just a few hours of trading.
The fall reflects investors' concerns about Ferrari's ability to maintain their exclusive status and legendary identity in the era of transition to electric vehicles.
For many automotive enthusiasts, Ferrari is not just a luxury car brand, but a symbol of the fierce engine sound, aggressive design and unique supercar driving experience.
The presence of larger, more practical EV models and no longer having the iconic engine sound caused some fans to feel that Ferrari was increasingly losing its original DNA.
However, Ferrari believes this step is important to ensure the company remains relevant in the future automotive industry that is increasingly shifting to electric technology.
According to Ferrari, the Luce EV still maintains exceptional performance when equipped with power exceeding 1,000 horsepower and acceleration capabilities that remain aggressive like previous Ferrari models.
The luxury automotive manufacturer is also confident that a new generation of consumers will be more open to accepting Ferrari's evolution towards electric vehicles without sacrificing the performance elements and racing spirit that are the brand's core identity.
