The world has always seen Ferrari as a maker of expensive sports cars. These are the cars that well-off enthusiasts buy and the ones with deep pockets indulge in. So, obviously, the men behind the company and the brand are also the kind who understand what Ferrari stands for in all its exclusivity.

But things are changing everywhere and Ferrari as a brand also wants to make a jump to newer unchartered waters, and may just exchange the roaring gasoline engines for quieter, electric ones that make more sense for the planet and may result in better sales as well.

And to do that, they have brought over someone as the new CEO who is not an automobile cognoscente, but a man who knows his way around tech. The man is tech-veteran Benedetto Vigna, who comes with 26 years of experience in the chip industry and will join Ferrari as its CEO come September 1, later this year.

So, this is how Benedetto Vigna aims to take Ferrari to its next electrifying level, and what we know of the Italian stallion’s EV plans under the helm of its new CEO.

Ferrari’s EV Announcement Was A Surprise

Ferrari's Chairman - John Elkann
Via: CNBC

For a long time, Ferrari seemed to remain firm on a promise that it would never make an EV. But in April 2021, it reneged on the same, now announcing that Ferrari’s first EV, an all-electric vehicle would be out in 2025.

Ferrari’s current acting CEO and Chairman John Elkann revealed Ferrari’s EV plans in a report, saying, “We are continuing to execute our electrification strategy in a highly disciplined way. And our interpretation and application of these technologies both in motorsport and in road cars is a huge opportunity to bring the uniqueness and passion of Ferrari to new generations.”

He also communicated Ferrari’s pride in the hybrid models, saying, “By leveraging our know-how from motor racing, we have created the wonderful technical achievement and driving experience that is the SF90 Stradale and the SF90 Spider, our hybrid cars.”

Clearly, Ferrari knows that the way ahead has got to be through EVs and fans eagerly await the EV from this sports and hypercar brand, knowing that if Ferrari makes an EV, it is going to be something very special.

And to do this the right way, Ferrari’s new CEO is someone who knows his way around electricity every well.

Related: Stellantis Is Ready To Triple Its Electric Sales In 2021

Ferrari’s New CEO: Tech-Expert Benedetto Vigna

Benedetto Vigna - Ferrari’s New CEO
Via Facebook

So who is Benedetto Vigna? Vigna is a subnuclear physics graduate from the University of Pisa who joined STMicroelectronics, a world-renowned firm that deals in chips and semiconductors among other things, in 1995. And he has been there for the last 26 years. Vigna has been at the helm of the sensors and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) division of the company and has turned it into STMicroelectronics' most profitable business division in 2020.

The man is clearly a technology whiz, and actually oversaw the company’s first foray in MEMS, and helped it reach great heights in motion-activated user interfaces. He and his team were key in the making of the "three-axis gyroscope", which made its tech debut in the Apple iPhone 4. This tech lets the screen adapt to portrait or landscape orientation when the handset is turned. Today, this technology is used in every smartphone there is.

But there is plenty more. Vigna has authored many publications and holds 200 patents on micro-machining, along with being conferred with many, many awards.

So he definitely seems to be the right man for the job.

Related: Here’s Everything We Know About New Ford CEO Jim Farley

What Does Ferrari Hope To Expect From Vigna?

2020 Ferrari F1 Vettel
Via Pinterest

Ferrari Chairman John Elkann has been doubling up as acting CEO but he is the man behind Vigna’s appointment, who would be taking over the responsibilities of CEO on September 1, 2021.

Elkann has this to say about Vigna, "His deep understanding of the technologies driving much of the change in our industry, and his proven innovation, business-building, and leadership skills will further strengthen Ferrari and its unique story of passion and performance, in the exciting era ahead."

For his part, Benedetto Vigna feels it’s an honor to be appointed as CEO of Ferrari and he is excited at the great opportunities that lie ahead, not just for him, but for Ferrari as a brand. Especially after the disastrous 2020 Formula One performance from the Ferrari team.

Vigna also feels there is a ton of responsibility to be shouldered, and as reported, he said that he joins Ferrari “with a profound sense of responsibility towards the extraordinary achievements and capabilities of the men and women of Ferrari, to all the company's stakeholders and to everyone around the world for whom Ferrari is such a unique passion."

So, there is a sense of excitement at Ferrari HQ, which, to say, is almost electrifying. And we can’t wait to see what gem of an EV Ferrari reveals in the coming years…

Sources: Ferrari, Reuters, ESPN

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