Car Torque: Car Torque: Ferrari chairman walks away

Outgoing Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo gave his farewell address to company employees in Italy this week, following his last press conference for the brand at the Paris Motor Show.

Mr di Montezemolo has been chairman of Ferrari for 23 years. After originally being employed by Enzo Ferrari to bring the Ferrari Formula One (F1) team back to the top of the sport in the mid-1970s, he led the company from a patchy product portfolio to a range of cars that are almost universally admired.

During his address, Mr di Montezemolo reminded the assembled workers that Ferrari remains the most successful F1 team in the history of the sport, although the team’s current poor performance is thought to be one of the main reasons for Mr di Montezemolo’s resignation, following pressure from Fiat Chrysler chief executive Sergio Marchionne.

The two have also clashed over the future of Ferrari and its role within the larger Fiat Chrysler group. Mr di Montezemolo has been fiercely protective of Ferrari’s independence and determined to keep volumes low (currently capped at 7000 per year). Mr Marchionne, on the other hand, is more open to leveraging the considerable power of the supercar brand for the greater good of the group.

Mercedes-Benz beats own record, also Audi
Mercedes-Benz registered its largest-ever global monthly sales figure in September – and beat rival Audi in the process. The Three Pointed Star sold 162,746 vehicles in September, the best month in its history, thanks to an influx of acclaimed new models – including the GLA crossover and C-Class sedan/wagon ranges – and surging demand in China.

Audi sales rose 6% in September but, at 159,950, still fell slightly short of its rival.

Audi remains a solid second year-to-date, although its lead of 103,000 vehicles over Mercedes-Benz is well down on the 118,000 buffer it enjoyed at the same time last year.

BMW is yet to publish its September sales, but remains the world’s number one premium brand.

The race is even tighter in New Zealand. September passenger-car sales put Audi just ahead of BMW and Mercedes-Benz – although there are only four registrations in it, with totals ranging from 184 to 180.

Year-to-date, Audi is also now slightly ahead in New Zealand, with 1602 registrations versus 1597 for BMW and 1436 for Mercedes-Benz. With its commercial-vehicle interests, Mercedes is the top brand overall with 1935 sales year to date.

Mitsubishi keeps plugging along
Following the positive reception for the Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), Mitsubishi plans to add electric versions of the next-generation ASX and Pajero to its lineup. Chief executive Osamu Masuko revealed the plan during interviews at last week’s Paris Motor Show press day.

The new models won’t arrive until at least 2017, though. The new ASX is still under development and will be launched with a conventional powertrain in 2016. The new Pajero isn’t likely to appear until 2018.