Fake Vehicles: Ferrari’s Fierce Fight and How They Are Crushing the Counterfeit Market with 400,000 Counterfeit Finds

When we think of counterfeit products, items like luxury handbags, watches, or even electronics come to mind. It’s hard to imagine that counterfeit Ferraris exist, but the truth is, they do. In fact, Ferrari has been waging a war against fake vehicles and other counterfeit items for years, and the numbers are staggering.

The Battle Against Counterfeit Ferraris

In a relentless effort to protect its brand, Ferrari has tracked down and destroyed hundreds of thousands of counterfeit items. According to figures reported by The Courier, the Italian automaker has seized over 400,000 fake items, including 91,000 pairs of eyeglasses, 61,000 wristwatches, 800 scooters, and 30,000 bottles of perfume in 2023 alone. However, the most shocking items in this haul were three counterfeit Ferraris.

The High Stakes of Classic Ferraris

Classic Ferraris are among the most valuable cars in the world, with some models selling for tens of millions of dollars. This immense value makes them a ripe target for counterfeiters. Ferrari’s commitment to maintaining the authenticity of its cars has led the company to crush any detected fakes into cubes, ensuring they never re-enter the market. As a spokesperson for Ferrari mentioned to CNN, “Given that Ferrari is one of the strongest luxury brands in the world, it is among the ‘Made in Italy’ companies that is most subject to counterfeiting and unauthorized use of its distinctive signs in general, not only in the automotive sector but also in fashion and merchandising.”

How Do Fake Ferraris Come About?

Creating fake vehicles, especially a Ferrari is no small feat. These fraudulent vehicles often start with a genuine Ferrari chassis, onto which a more expensive model’s body is crafted. These counterfeit cars are sometimes so convincing that they make it to high-end auctions before being detected. As Ferrari’s general legal counsel Carlo Daneo explained, “The counterfeiters are becoming ever more capable,” highlighting the sophisticated methods used to create these fake vehicles.

The Fate of Counterfeit Ferraris

Once a counterfeit Ferrari is identified, the automaker takes swift action. While some counterfeit cars are simply taken off the market, others meet a more dramatic end—they are crushed into cubes. This serves as a stern warning to anyone considering buying a suspiciously cheap Ferrari. The legal implications and potential safety risks associated with these counterfeit vehicles mean they must be removed from the market.

The Broader Counterfeit Market

While fake vehicles, particularly Ferraris, grab headlines, the majority of fake items bearing the Ferrari logo are smaller and less expensive. The company has seized fake bags, shoes, belts, and even Ferrari-branded refrigerators. To combat this, Ferrari has enlisted the help of the public. Through their anti-counterfeiting reward project, Ferrari encourages people to report fake items in exchange for an official thank you and prizes.

Public Involvement and Rewards

Ferrari’s anti-counterfeiting reward project has been a success, receiving over a thousand notifications since its inception. This initiative allows fans and employees to report any suspicious Ferrari-branded items, helping the company take action against counterfeiters. As Daneo noted, “It’s a great satisfaction to see that so many people—from employees to fans—have taken to heart this important battle.”

Potential tattle-tales can share tips on possible faux Ferrari goods on a web page Ferrari created just for this purpose. In exchange for viable tips, these informants are being offered an undefined “complementary Ferrari gadget.” Ferrari has offered no hint as to what the gift might be, but presumably, it’s worth more than the same gadget without a Ferrari logo.

How to Create Fake Vehicles

While creating fake merchandise can be as simple as placing an unlicensed Ferrari prancing horse logo on a product, producing believable fake vehicles, specifically a Ferrari car is much more involved. Cases of outright collector car fraud—where someone attempts to pass off a fake as a highly collectible automobile—are rare but not unheard of. According to Brian Rabold, vice president of automotive intelligence at the collector car insurer Hagerty, “Given the value of these cars, there is often enough of a financial incentive to tempt unethical people to try to misrepresent or fake a car.”

Generally, the Ferrari collector community is well-informed, making it difficult for fakes to pass as originals. “Ferrari collectors tend to have a considerable knowledge over the brand as a whole and its cars, especially the most valuable ones,” said the Ferrari spokesperson.

Ferrari’s Commitment to Authenticity

For a brand like Ferrari, maintaining authenticity is paramount. Counterfeit items not only dilute the brand’s value but also pose risks to buyers. Ferrari’s stringent measures, including the destruction of counterfeit items and public involvement, underscore their commitment to protecting their legacy.

As an example of the fate that awaits any fake Ferrari automobiles the company can find, Ferrari published a photo of a red car squished into a crinkled metal cube. In that case, the car wasn’t part of any criminal scheme, however. It had been a fake 1957 Ferrari built, with the company’s permission, for the 2023 Michael Mann film, “Ferrari.” As part of an agreement between the filmmakers and the Italian automaker, all the prop cars were destroyed once filming was completed in order to keep them from ever entering the collector car market.

Ferrari’s ongoing battle against counterfeits is a testament to the lengths luxury brands must go to safeguard their image. From crushing counterfeit cars to encouraging public vigilance, Ferrari continues to set the standard in the fight against fake products. So, next time you’re in the market for a Ferrari—or even a Ferrari-branded accessory—remember to keep an eye out for fakes and support the brand’s efforts to maintain its authenticity.