The inaugural Ferrari Luce was sold for $40 million, which is 36 times higher than its estimated value.

      The first production Ferrari Luce was auctioned for $40 million at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey event, breaking records for the highest price paid for a new car, an electric car, and a charity car sold at public auction. Ferrari does not retain any of the funds from this sale; instead, the proceeds will support the Ferrari Foundation's educational initiatives, and the vehicle itself won’t be delivered until early 2027.

      Chassis 0 was auctioned during the recent RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction, where it fetched $40 million, a staggering sum that outstripped the estimated $1.1 million by approximately 36 times—an excess of $14 million over the unique Daytona SP3 that led the same auction last year, positioning it as the sixth most expensive car ever sold at auction.

      All proceeds will go to the Ferrari Foundation, and notably, the buyer will not receive the car immediately, as Chassis 0 is not yet constructed. It will return to Maranello, with a delivery date set for the first quarter of 2027, built to U.S. specifications, meaning buyers outside the U.S. will incur additional homologation costs.

      What the buyer will gain is a unique specification that no one else can obtain. The vehicle features a Madraperla Semi-Gloss finish, uniquely developed for this model, that shifts from green to violet based on the light angle, complemented by dedicated wheels and brake calipers. Inside, it boasts Le Mans metallic leather and grey secondary trim instead of black.

      Despite this, discussions regarding the car's design and strategic direction have sparked debate. The Luce’s unveiling led to a 7% drop in Ferrari's stock price, with concerns raised by investors. Even within the Ferrari family, there were critiques; former chairman Luca di Montezemolo implied the vehicle should don a different logo.

      This criticism had financial implications, as Ferrari replaced its marketing chief just a month post-launch. However, the market response had already taken shape independently of this auction; the Luce sold out despite the controversy surrounding it.

      Importantly, a charity lot for the first chassis is a distinct collectible category, as the petrol-powered Daytona SP3 demonstrated last year with its $26 million sale. Thus, the $40 million fetched by the Luce illustrates that collectors are willing to invest significant amounts for first editions, not necessarily that they have embraced electric Ferraris.

       Published August 17, 2026 - 7:30 pm UTC

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