Ferrari Sees $437.7 Million Profit in 2008, Over 6,500 Cars Sold Worldwide

If any automotive segment can handily buck the current sales trends, it's the specialty exotic car market. And despite recent reports with predictions to the contrary, Ferrari, arguably the world's most famous sports car brand, recently posted a 339 million euro ($437.7 million) profit for 2008 and saw a vehicle sales increase of 2% globally during the same time as well. A total of 6,587 supercars were moved out of showrooms last year, up 122 over 2007. Sales in the U.S. remained on par with the year prior -- 1,700 new Prancing Horses found American homes in '08. Ferrari claims the U.S market comprises 26% of Ferrari's total global sales. Eastern European sales rose 23%, Middle East and South Africa's numbers were up 12%, while Chinese buyers purchased a record 212 hand-built Italian beauties (up 20%) in 2008. Also helping profits along were Maranello's licensing, retail and e-commerce efforts, up 28% overall. Online merchandise sales increased by 65%, while the brand's 25 brick-and-mortar retail stores saw a 16% jump. Source: Ferrari