No crisis for Ferrari - Although the car sector is currently at an all-time low, Ferrari is very much in the pink despite these times of crisis. The subsidiary of the Italian Fiat group, celebrating its 66th birthday this year, has just published its best ever results in the US and Asia and also in the United Kingdom and Switzerland where its privileged clientele appears to be immune to the fallout from the crisis. With a turnover of €2.43 billion, an 8% rise on 2012 figures, representing a total delivery of 7,318 cars (+4.5% in volume), the manufacturer has notched up a net record result of €244 million and increased sales of 17.8%. Ferrari also invested €324 million in 2012 (including research and development) as opposed to €280 million the previous year. Its best customer base is in the US where Ferrari sales for the first time went above the 2,000 delivery mark (2,058 exactly, including Canada), representing a 14.6% rise. “Greater China” (The People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) confirms its status as the second biggest market in the world with figures for 2012 deliveries reaching 784 cars (+4%) including 500 in the People's Republic. Japan's growth was again double digit (14.4%), with 302 cars sold. In Europe, the United Kingdom leads the growth league, with 673 Ferraris sold (+20.4%), ahead of Switzerland (+17.4%) and Germany (+8.2%), which maintains its status as the main market in Europe. Italy, on the other hand, has fallen right behind on the European market, with a 46% fall in sales (318 cars sold), well below Switzerland (357) and less than half as many as in Germany (750 cars). According to the most recent survey carried out by the Brand Finance company, Ferrari also asserted itself as the leading global brand, ahead of Google, Coca-Cola, PwC and Hermès in 2013. (IL/transl.fl)