Ferrari chief lauds Tesla Roadster launch as top-tier innovation

Ferrari chief executive Benedetto Vinna said the Tesla Roadster launch demonstrated that the auto industry can still pursue bold innovation in a mature market. Speaking at a Quattroruote-organized conference, Vinna rated the vehicle a 10 out of 10 for both technology and presentation.

"It certainly shows that also in the automotive world there's still a lot to be done. We have to keep dreaming," Vinna said. "As a European, thank you for showing us how, even in an old world, you can still innovate and dare."

Tesla unveiled the next-generation Roadster with a demonstration that included thruster-assisted stunts and a mid-air flip at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas. The company announced that production is slated to begin in 2028, after several years of delays since the prototype was first shown in 2017.

Analysts noted that while Tesla’s shares rose on the news, actual deliveries remain years away. Customers can reserve the Roadster with a $50,000 deposit for the standard "Performance" version or $250,000 for the "Thrust" model that adds acceleration thrusters, while an invite-only "Rocket" variant offers a single-seat, full-flight configuration.

Vinna also referenced Ferrari’s own electric ambitions, citing the recent launch of the Luce, the brand’s first fully electric car developed with former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s LoveFrom studio.