Where Are Ferraris Made?

Each new Ferrari takes three months to assemble, from the casting of the engine to the final touches before it arrives at Ferrari Lake Forest for Chicago drivers. Known as much for their legacy as their power and elegance, it should come as no surprise that your new Ferrari is made in the same place every Ferrari has been made: Maranello, Italy. As a town of 17,000 located in an agricultural region of central Italy, Maranello’s claim to fame is, of course, the precision-engineered automobiles produced each year.

How to Build a Ferrari Engine

While other automakers might outsource multiple parts of their vehicle assembly for the sake of efficiency, Ferrari insists on the highest levels of quality control. How else could they maintain such impeccable, lightning-fast automobiles?

• 147 engines are hand-assembled every day after their parts are cast in the in-house foundry.
• From there, two robots — nicknamed Romeo and Juliet — connect the engines’ valve mechanics.
• V8 and V12 engines are assembled on separate lines; the latter simply require more care, more attention, and more technicians to ensure they are up to Ferrari standards.

From Start to Finish

The entire assembly process, from casting the engine components to the installation of the interior and final testing of the engine, takes three months — a testament to a Ferrari’s value. Each car frame is held by individual mechanical lifts to move the vehicle from one station to the next, automatically adjusting the height and rotating the chassis for the next task.

• Before arriving on the assembly line, the body is painted in one of Ferrari’s iconic colors, complete with an anti-corrosive layer.
• At the start of the assembly line, all of the electrical components are installed in the vehicle.
• Next, the wheels and bumpers are hand-installed, followed by the windshield.
• Then, the interior is trimmed to fit each Ferrari, ensuring your seat, sunroof, and any special touches are unique to your vehicle.
• Finally, technicians perform a static engine test — the first of many tests to ensure your new Ferrari is ready for the road.

It sounds simple, but the process of crafting a Ferrari is truly beautiful to see — it’s why Ferrari has tours of their Maranello factory.

The History of Ferrari in Maranello

In 1929, Scuderia Ferrari began as the racing team of Alfa Romeo, but founder Enzo Ferrari soon developed an interest in road cars. Alfa Romeo took their racing team in-house in 1938, and while they kept Enzo on to run the show, he left after just a year. Where did he go? To the former headquarters of Scuderia Ferrari with Auto Avio Costruzioni, but it wasn’t until 1947 that the first Ferrari-badged road car made its way into the world.

The 125 S and its siblings and descendants were initially a means to an end: production cars that could finance Enzo’s racing dreams. While we all know where Ferrari stands in the world of professional racing, it’s clear that the production side of Ferrari exists to produce some of the most powerful vehicles ever to hit the street. They just also happen to share a name with an incredibly successful 90-year Formula 1 history.

The Ferrari Museum

Maranello is where Ferraris are made, but it’s more than just the home of the assembly plant. It’s the home of Enzo Ferrari’s legacy. Less than 1,000 feet from the factory is Museo Ferrari. You can trace Ferrari’s history back to its founding at the official museum, see firsthand the awards and accolades from the many racing championships, and learn about Ferrari technology (past, present, and future).

Rotating exhibits ensure that Museo Ferrari offers something for even the seasoned Ferrari expert, and you can round out a visit with a tour of the factory.

Discover Your Ferrari at Ferrari Lake Forest

The Maranello Ferrari plant is carefully guarded: tourists aren’t allowed to take photos or record video. While nothing compares to seeing a Ferrari assembled in-person, we hope we’ve given you a hint of the care and precision involved. When it’s time to experience just what that level of dedication delivers, contact Ferrari Lake Forest to put yourself behind the wheel — and remember to store your Ferrari to protect it in the winter months.