ITALIAN architecture and fittings will highlight Ferrari’s first Gold Coast dealership as the brand prepares to service one of Australia’s biggest markets.

Ferrari Australasia has appointed new franchisee Frizelle Sunshine Automotive Group, which is spending $10 million on a bespoke, stand-alone showroom and service centre now being completed at Sanctuary Cove.

The 1937 square-metre complex, which will employ 11 people, is expected to be opened in October, but to bring the brand to the city sooner, Frizelle has been using a temporary Ferrari outlet in the same area.

Frizelle director Rebecca Frizelle said the new Ferrari showroom was perfectly pitched to capitalise on the booming Ferrari sales on the Gold Coast.

“More than 40 per cent of Queensland sales are coming out of the Gold Coast,” she said.

“On a per capita basis, it is one of the strongest markets for Ferrari in the world.”

Ms Frizelle said most Australians were unaware of the strength of the economy of the Gold Coast, saying it had matured over the past 10 to 15 years and the city has the highest concentration of Ferraris in the country.

---

---

“We are building a bespoke showroom in collaboration with our Italian architects and an Australian architect. It is a facility that is truly befitting of the Ferrari marque,” she said.

“It meets all their design guidelines. The design has been developed in Italy and all the custom fit-out is being imported from Italy. It will be an absolute class-leading showroom when it opens in spring.”

The temporary pop-up showroom in Sanctuary Cove is now open and has a range of cars for clients.

“We have been on the coast for more than 30 years and we are a family business,” Ms Frizelle said.

“We are passionate about what we do and that resonates with Ferrari which is a passionate brand. We are thrilled to be able to represent it.”

Ferrari Australasia CEO Herbert Appleroth said the opening of the dealership was in response to the booming sales and was integral to the brand’s global growth.

“Queensland is Ferrari’s strongest new car and pre-owned market with continued strong sales growth and a seemingly insatiable demand,” he said in a statement.

“It’s important to find a partner that understands the local market and can perform to the inimitable Ferrari standard. We are very excited to welcome Frizelle Sunshine Automotive to our network.”

In 2018, national sales for Ferrari are 135 units to the end of July, up 19.5 per cent compared with the same seven months in 2017.

By Neil Dowling