Controversial Ferrari Luce EV Sells Out Instantly in China

The controversy surrounding Ferrari’s first all-electric sedan has done little to dampen demand. Despite widespread criticism following its debut, every Ferrari Luce allocated to the Chinese market has already been sold. In May, the Luce sold out quickly through 2027 after release.

Ferrari introduced the Luce in May as both its first mass-produced four-door sedan and its first fully electric vehicle. Designed by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, the luxury EV quickly drew criticism from online commentators who described it as too understated, too practical, and too far removed from Ferrari’s traditional identity. The backlash contributed to a more than 6% drop in Ferrari’s share price in a single day. Shortly afterward, longtime chief marketing and commercial officer Enrico Galliera departed the company and was replaced by former BMW Italy executive Massimiliano Di Silvestre.

While the online reaction was harsh, Chinese buyers appeared unfazed. According to CarNewsChina, all 88 units allocated to China, each priced at 3.988 million yuan (about $586,000), sold out almost immediately.

The rapid sellout supports Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna’s assertion that the Luce continues to generate strong orders despite the criticism. It also suggests that the negative response may be louder online than it is among Ferrari’s wealthy customer base, many of whom are willing to embrace the brand’s first electric model.

However, another explanation has emerged. Some reports have claimed Ferrari dealers encouraged or even pressured customers to purchase a Luce to gain access to the company’s most exclusive and limited-production models. The speculation became widespread enough to be reported by Bloomberg, although Galliera strongly denied the allegations before leaving the company.

In an interview with The Drive, Galliera rejected the claims, stating that Ferrari had made it clear from the beginning that the Luce was intended for a different type of customer rather than existing collectors seeking access to future halo models.

Whether those assurances prove accurate remains to be seen, especially if Luce owners eventually receive priority opportunities to purchase Ferrari’s next generation of ultra-exclusive hypercars.

EVinfo.net’s Take: More Proof Luce and EVs are Winners

For years, critics have insisted that electric vehicles could never deliver the emotion, excitement, and performance of a true sports car. Ferrari’s latest sales results suggest otherwise, and by the way, “emotion” is a made-up marketing term when its describing automotive.

The Italian supercar manufacturer made headlines when it unveiled the Luce, its first all-electric production vehicle and its first four-door sedan. The response online was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Social media critics complained that an electric Ferrari was a contradiction, while others criticized the Luce’s styling and questioned whether the company had abandoned its heritage.

Yet there is one group whose opinion ultimately matters more than internet commentators: Ferrari customers.

Every one of the 88 Ferrari Luce models allocated to the Chinese market sold out almost immediately despite a price tag of nearly $586,000. That level of demand demonstrates that affluent buyers are willing to embrace Ferrari’s electric future, regardless of the online backlash.

The reality is that electric vehicles possess characteristics that make them exceptionally well suited for high-performance sports cars. Electric motors deliver maximum torque instantly, providing breathtaking acceleration from a standstill. Power delivery is immediate and seamless, with no gear changes interrupting acceleration. Precise torque control also enhances corner exits and overall vehicle dynamics.

These advantages explain why EVs consistently dominate acceleration records. Many of today’s fastest production vehicles are electric, proving that battery-powered performance is not a compromise but an evolution.

Ferrari understands this. The company has spent decades engineering vehicles that push the limits of performance. If electric propulsion did not offer genuine performance advantages, Ferrari would have little reason to invest billions of dollars developing an EV. The company’s engineers chose electric power because it enables new levels of speed, responsiveness, and control while opening the door to technologies that internal combustion engines simply cannot match.

The Luce’s early success also highlights an important distinction between online opinion and real-world demand. Social media often amplifies the loudest critics, but it rarely reflects the purchasing decisions of customers with the means to buy a Ferrari. While internet users debated whether an electric Ferrari should exist, wealthy buyers quietly reserved every available unit.

Some enthusiasts will always prefer the sound and mechanical character of a gasoline-powered sports car, and that is understandable. Driving enjoyment is subjective. However, when measured by objective performance metrics such as acceleration, responsiveness, traction, and power delivery, electric vehicles have clear advantages that are becoming impossible to ignore.

Ferrari’s strong Luce sales send a clear message to the automotive industry. The future of high-performance sports cars is not limited by electrification, it is enhanced by it. The market has spoken, and the customers who matter most are proving that electric Ferraris are more than a curiosity. They are a desirable new chapter for one of the world’s most legendary performance brands.