Ferrari Status

Luxury as Veblen Goods (Ferrari, Rolex, etc.)

• Many comments map Ferrari directly to Rolex: both sell status more than function, with high margins, artificial scarcity, and long service “subscriptions.”
• Some see this as an attractive “Veblen” business: easier, better-paid sales vs. mass-market (Honda-type) selling, and similar dynamics in enterprise software vs. small vendors.
• Others argue luxury sales are not “easy”: ultra-high-end markets are tiny and volatile, with intense competition among luxury brands.

Brand, Marketing, and Scarcity Games

• Debate over how much explicit advertising matters. Some say luxury brands spend heavily on marketing and narrative; others point to media/influencer coverage as de facto advertising.
• Several compare Ferrari’s allocation games to Porsche GT models, Rolex, and Birkin bags: buyers must often purchase less-desirable products and cultivate dealer relationships to “earn” access.
• This manufactured scarcity is viewed as both genius marketing and off-putting manipulation.

Ferrari’s Business Model and F1

• Strong agreement that Ferrari sells cars to fund racing, not vice versa. F1 heritage and success are seen as central to its brand and pricing power.
• Some praise Ferrari’s tight focus and high margins; others note that Toyota massively outperforms Ferrari in absolute profits, questioning which business is “better.”

Enzo vs. Modern “Luxury Company” Ferrari

• Several say Enzo’s original vision was racing and engines first; modern licensing (merch, laptops, cologne) and “we’re a luxury company” framing are seen as brand dilution.
• Others counter that Enzo’s era was financially precarious and that the post-Enzo luxury strategy is what finally made Ferrari sustainably profitable.

Applicability Beyond Cars / Enshittification

• Discussion links Ferrari’s discipline (limited scale, focus) to resistance against “enshittification.”
• Some propose “franchising” or deliberately staying small as ways software or other businesses might avoid declining quality when chasing mass growth.