In a surprising turn of events in 2021, Ferrari broke with tradition by appointing a new CEO with a background in the tech industry rather than the automotive world. The choice of Benedetto Vigna for the role seemed unconventional at the time, but the strategy behind it is becoming clearer as the luxury carmaker employs tech-inspired techniques to advance its foray into fully electric vehicles.
Ferrari has announced its ambitious plan to launch its inaugural electric vehicle (EV) in 2025 and to progressively electrify a significant portion of its vehicle lineup. The CEO, Benedetto Vigna, is now shedding light on the progress made, with innovative methods like “Hardware in the Loop” testing playing a pivotal role in the EV’s development.
Vigna’s familiarity with this approach, stemming from his previous tenure at microchip manufacturer STMicroelectronics, is proving invaluable. “Hardware in the Loop” testing involves simulating the behaviors of products under a wide range of conditions, a methodology commonly applied to the tech industry, particularly in the development of smartphones and computers. This approach is now gaining traction in the automotive sector.
Vigna shared his insights, stating, “Some have started to use it for cars, and we have too. This allows you to accelerate the debugging phase of the electronic system. It took us some time to get prepared, but thanks to this technique, we have already resolved several issues that typically emerge at a later stage of development in our hybrid models.”
Currently in the prototype phase, Ferrari’s inaugural electric vehicle is making significant progress, and Vigna confirmed that it is on track in terms of both the vehicle itself and the accompanying infrastructure development. Furthermore, Ferrari has readied its “e-building,” a facility designed for the production of both electric and hybrid vehicles, in anticipation of the impending electric vehicle.
Despite the infusion of tech industry expertise, Vigna is eager to emphasize that Ferrari has not lost sight of its core strengths. In a recent revelation, he disclosed that he personally test-drove a prototype of the first Ferrari EV in early October and expressed his strong approval, stating, “I liked it a lot.” This blend of tech innovation and the timeless appeal of Ferrari’s high-performance vehicles promises an exciting future for the legendary automaker.
