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Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari has shattered auction records after selling a bespoke version of its first all-electric vehicle, the Luce, for an unprecedented USD40 million (RM162.5 million) at Monterey Car Week in California
All proceeds from the sale will benefit global youth educational projects managed through the Ferrari Foundation.
American billionaire investor and optometrist Dr Herbert A Wertheim, founder of optical technology manufacturer Brain Power Inc, secured the winning bid at the RM Sotheby's event on 16 August.
The custom-made Ferrari Luce.
Image via RM SothesbyDesignated as "Chassis 0", the one-of-a-kind model surpassed its pre-sale valuation of USD1.1 million (RM4.47 million) by nearly forty times
RM Sotheby's also waived its customary buyer's fees to maximise the charitable impact.
The transaction comfortably eclipses previous modern charity auctions, including last year's sale of a bespoke Ferrari Daytona SP3 for USD26 million (RM105.6 million), which Wertheim also acquired.
The bespoke Ferrari Daytona SP3.
Image via RM SothesbyUnveiled in May with a base price tag of 550,000 euros (RM2.59 million), the four-door, five-seat Luce previously sparked fierce debate among automotive analysts and traditional purists
Sceptics questioned whether Maranello's departure from its iconic combustion-engine legacy would alienate wealthy clientele.
However, company executives confirmed robust order volumes last month, with the record auction price offering a strong vote of confidence in the marque's electric strategy.
The auctioned Ferrari Luce is nothing short of special
Crafted by Ferrari's specialised Tailor Made division, the vehicle features an iridescent Madreperla semi-gloss finish alongside matching wheels and brake calipers. Inside, the cabin incorporates Le Mans leather in Perla with Grigio Corvara accents and a plaque confirming its status as the first series-production electric Ferrari.
Four electric motors deliver a combined output of 1,050 horsepower, propelling the luxury EV from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.5 seconds.
High-profile automotive auctions have historically served as key benchmarks for collector sentiment
Similar watershed events, such as the landmark 2022 sale of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé for 135 million euros (RM634.4 million) or record private trades for vintage Ferrari 250 GTOs, demonstrate that rarity, provenance, and historical firsts often transcend traditional powertrain preferences.
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.
Image via RM SothesbyIndustry observers note that directing the auction sum into educational philanthropy transforms a divisive product launch into a major public relations success for the Italian automaker.
As high-performance electric vehicles gain ground globally, Ferrari's record-breaking result underlines how top-tier collectors treat pivotal technological milestones as permanent entries in automotive history.
