The FXX K Makes Its Japanese Debut

On a weekend in early March, a high-pitched exhaust note echoed through Suzuka Circuit. The owner of the sound, unmistakably a V12, was the Ferrari FXX K"FXX K." This circuit-only car, boasting a maximum output of 1,050 hp and developed based on Ferrari's "LaFerrari"LaFerrari," made its Japanese debut and roared around Suzuka Circuit.

Held annually as Japan's largest circuit event for Ferrari owners and fans, "Ferrari Racing Days" (hereafter referred to as FRD) is a major highlight.Last year at Fuji SpeedwayThis year, the event moved to Suzuka Circuit, drawing over 10,000 Ferrari fans, more than 500 Ferrari owners, and hundreds of Ferraris, including the aforementioned FXX K and historic F1 cars, to the circuit over the weekend.

Furthermore, the main event, the official Ferrari one-make race "Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific," kicked off its 2016 season. A record 35 drivers from Japan and abroad, all passionate Ferrari enthusiasts, competed fiercely for the top spot on the podium on the traditional Grand Prix circuit.

"Holding Ferrari Racing Days at Suzuka Circuit this time is highly significant."

So says Dieter Knechtel, CEO of Ferrari's Far East Area. We spoke with him at the venue after he traveled from his base in Singapore to Suzuka Circuit.

The Japanese Market Resembles Those in Europe and America

"The drivers participating in the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific are core enthusiasts with a deep passion for the Ferrari brand. Many of them are particularly fond of Suzuka Circuit, consistently calling it the most exciting track in the series. We are confident that this excitement will be felt by the fans gathered here, making it a truly wonderful event."

Knechtel explained that considerable energy and expertise were invested in the planning of this year's FRD at Suzuka Circuit, and it was meticulously organized. Seeing the owners and fans enjoying themselves, he seemed very satisfied.

"I myself had the opportunity to drive the FXX K and the 488"GTB on the track between program segments, and it was truly a great moment. Suzuka, with its unique figure-eight layout and challenging high-speed left-handers after the long straight, is a demanding course, but I thoroughly enjoyed it."

Knechtel said with a smile. He must have felt the drivers' appreciation for Suzuka firsthand. He mentioned that he has driven on many Grand Prix circuits himself, including Hockenheimring in Germany, the Shanghai International Circuit in China, and the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Before joining Ferrari, he worked with various car brands such as Citroën, Renault, and Porsche. How does the Japanese market appear to Knechtel, a true car enthusiast?

"Japanese customers are characterized not only by their passion for the brand but also by their deep technical knowledge. It's very similar to countries in Europe and America where racing culture is deeply rooted, such as the US, Italy, the UK, and Germany, making it a unique market in Asia."

We Will Not Increase Sales Numbers Unnecessarily

As the head of Ferrari's Far East Area, how does Knechtel plan to develop the Japanese market going forward?

"Our next step is to focus on cultivating new customers. In other words, we aim to nurture the next generation of Ferrari owners."

To achieve this, he highlighted the importance of enhancing finance services to make Ferraris more affordable and strengthening the certified pre-owned car program. Additionally, product lineups like the "California T"California T" are crucial for appealing to a broader customer base. Indeed, globally, the new customer acquisition rate for the California T stands at 70%.

However, given Ferrari's emphasis on exclusivity above all other brands, he stated that they will not unnecessarily increase sales numbers in the future.

"In the key markets of Japan, Australia, and South Korea within the Far East Area, we constantly monitor used car prices. If they show signs of declining, we will manage new car sales volume to maintain the value of pre-owned vehicles. We believe that maintaining market stability in this way is crucial for both the Ferrari brand and our owners."

Knechtel considers the California T and the "GTC4Lusso"GTC4Lusso" as key models for business. As a car enthusiast who relishes driving on Grand Prix circuits, which model is his personal favorite?

"The F12berlinettais my favorite. While it boasts 740 hp as a supercar, it's surprisingly easy to drive. Of course, it's incredibly powerful, and the moment you step on the accelerator, you feel like the king of the circuit – that's its charm."

Dieter Knechtel
CEO of Ferrari's Far East Area
Born in Austria in 1972. After earning a Master's degree in Marketing from the University of Vienna, he began his automotive career at Citroën Austria. He then moved to Renault before joining Porsche Holding in China in 2006, where he was involved in business development for brands such as BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Bentley. He joined Ferrari in April 2015 and, as head of the Far East Area, is responsible for Ferrari's operations across the Asia Pacific region, encompassing Northeast Asia (Japan, South Korea), Southeast Asia (ASEAN countries), and Australasia (Australia & New Zealand).