Ferrari Luce Fetches Record $40 Million

Ferrari therefore managed to break its own record, which is one way to ensure the trophy remains in familiar surroundings.

The Luce’s price still falls far short of the record for any car sold at auction. That distinction belongs to a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which sold for $142 million in 2022.

Why did Ferrari’s first electric car cause controversy?

Ferrari unveiled the Luce in May 2026 as its first entry into the fully electric vehicle market. The launch marked a significant change for a company whose reputation rests largely on high-performance combustion engines and the highly recognizable sounds they produce.

The model also broke with Ferrari convention by offering five seats. Former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive contributed to its development, adding another prominent name to a project that was never likely to arrive quietly.

Some Ferrari enthusiasts and major figures in Italy objected to the electric powertrain, seating layout and styling. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini joined the criticism, while former Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo warned that the company was “risking the destruction of a legend.”

Ferrari chief design officer Flavio Manzoni defended the car in May. He argued that resistance often accompanies innovation and said he expected people to appreciate the Luce over time.

Has criticism affected demand for the Luce?

So far, the complaints do not appear to have discouraged buyers. Ferrari has reportedly already reached its 2026 sales target for the model, with particularly strong demand coming from China, according to the Financial Times.

The company has not disclosed how many examples it intends to produce or sell, leaving the size of that target unclear. Scarcity, or at least the suggestion of it, has rarely caused Ferrari much difficulty.

The $40 million auction result does not reflect the ordinary retail market, given the car’s first-production status, unique specification and charitable purpose. It does, however, provide Ferrari with a highly visible opening act for its electric era, despite warnings that the Luce represented a step too far from the brand’s traditions.