HR Owen chief Andy Duncan unveils Ferrari retail service

HR Owen, the luxury car dealership company, is creating a bespoke Central London showroom for Ferrari in partnership with the Maybourne Hotel Group.

HR Owen: Andy Duncan joined as chief executive in September 2010
HR Owen: Andy Duncan joined as chief executive in September 2010

The project, led by HR Owen chief executive and former Channel 4 boss Andy Duncan, will feature the launch of a Ferrari Atelier at The Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge.

The service will allow customers to buy a bespoke Ferrari, including tailored colouring, seat type, material, and in-car information and entertainment technology. The aim is to provide a more "contemporary" service expected with luxury purchases, with a greater emphasis on digital technologies.

Customers will be able to spend the day at the Maybourne Hotel Group-owned Berkeley, using its spa and restaurants. The Atelier area will also feature a number of Ferrari displays, including classic models and Formula 1 vehicles.

Duncan, speaking exclusively to Marketing, said: "It’s a good example of the industry beginning to adapt to customers' wants and needs. In Maybourne Hotel Group and Ferrari, there is a good brand fit,"

The move comes after HR Owen, which also operates UK dealerships for Rolls Royce, Bentley and Bugatti, reported preliminary results with revenues up 26% year on year, to £158m.

Former Unilever marketer Duncan, who joined HR Owen in September last year, said the luxury car market was showing positive signs.

He said: "We had a strong 2010 and we’re looking to build on that in 2011. We have to be cautious, with all the tax rises and public sector cuts. We’ve closed our Alfa Romeo business, but there is still potential to grow the business."

Duncan added that he expects the market to "move forward" more significantly in 2012, partly as a result of the Olympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Market Reports

Get unprecedented new-business intelligence with access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s new Advertising Intelligence Market Reports.

Find out more

Enjoying ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s content?

 Get unlimited access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s premium content for your whole company with a corporate licence.

Upgrade access

Looking for a new job?

Get the latest creative jobs in advertising, media, marketing and digital delivered directly to your inbox each day.

Create an alert now

Partner content