Ferrari Announces Record Sales in China

China’s car market is growing at a fast pace, as an expanding middle class and booming economy make it possible for more and more people to buy cars. The country is also showing increased appetite for exotic sports cars, as Ferrari announced it sold close to 300 cars in the Asian country last year.

This result is the best one the supercar maker has ever had since it started exports to China. According to the company, if the sales figures for Hong Kong and Taiwan are added (the equivalent of the Greater China Area) China becomes one of the top five international Ferrari markets. This achievement is even more impressive if we are to judge by the fact that the official dealer network was opened there only six years ago.

In China, the number nine holds special significance, as it is considered lucky and represents longevity. So the Italian company is holding a special event in Shanghai on January 14th, in order to celebrate its 999th customer in the country.

According to the Maranello supercar maker, its success in China comes as a result of the attention the company has paid to the market in recent years. Last year, the structure of the official network has been improved and new partners have been selected to increase the number of dealerships from the current 10. New dealers will open a number of different cities in the next few months and 2011 will also see the start of the first Asian championship in the Ferrari Challenge single-make racing series.

Last year, the company displayed its HY-KERS prototype vehicle at the Shanghai World Expo in the Italian Pavilion, as well as launch the 599 GTO at the Beijing Auto Show, making it Ferrari’s first ever world premiere in China.