Ferrari shares fall after launch of first EV as Jony Ive design proves divisive

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overall Reaction to the Ferrari EV Design

  • Majority sentiment: exterior is unattractive, especially “for a Ferrari.”
  • Common comparisons: Hyundai/Kia, Nissan Leaf, Prius, Lucid, Lotus, generic Chinese EVs, even “toy cars” and VHS rewinders.
  • Several say that without the badge, they wouldn’t identify it as a Ferrari; some see Mustang or generic American SUV cues.
  • A minority of commenters like it or “kind of” like it, especially non‑Ferrari buyers, but even they often dislike the blue launch color and prefer red.

Fit with Ferrari Brand and Market Position

  • Many argue it lacks Ferrari’s traditional aggression, drama, and “wow” factor; feels like an everyday commuter, not a $600k halo car.
  • Some say it looks fine as a car, but not as a Ferrari; could be an excellent BYD‑type EV at ~$50k but doesn’t justify the super‑luxury price.
  • Concern that prioritizing efficiency and a new silhouette over theatrics signals Ferrari abandoning its core ethos (sound, feel, presence).

Role and Evaluation of the Designer

  • Several commenters question hiring a consumer‑electronics designer for a supercar, calling it a PR/name-recognition move.
  • Critiques reference previous form‑over‑function decisions in other products (over‑thin laptops, controversial mice, etc.).
  • One subthread initially claims the designer only did interiors; another cites a report saying both interior and exterior, and this is later acknowledged.

Interior, UX, and Controls

  • Interior receives significantly more praise than the exterior.
  • Positive points: strong use of physical buttons and knobs, tactile controls, minimized “giant tablet” approach, thoughtful color/UX touches.
  • Some still question the presence of a central screen and note that real-world touchscreen UX in cars can be poor.

EV Styling, Efficiency, and “Normal” Looks

  • Multiple threads ask why EVs can’t just use “normal” or retro body styles.
  • Replies cite:
    • Aerodynamic and packaging constraints (battery mass, range targets) pushing toward smooth, “suppository” shapes.
    • Marketing desire to visually distinguish EVs, especially for early adopters.
  • Others counter with examples of EVs that look conventional and argue consumers mostly want cars to “look like cars.”

Stock Price and Market Impact

  • One commenter notes the reported 6% stock drop is small, within recent volatility, and may be overplayed; causal link to design is unclear.