Unique Ferrari Electric Car Sells for Nearly $40 Million at Auction

A one-of-a-kind Ferrari Luce, the Italian luxury automaker's first all-electric model, has fetched a staggering price of nearly $40 million at auction. The proceeds from the sale will be directed toward educational initiatives aimed at supporting young people, according to the manufacturer.

The sale occurred during Monterey Car Week in the United States, a high-profile event where Ferrari is seeking to generate momentum for the Luce. Introduced in May, the electric four-door, five-seater vehicle, with a base price of at least $550,000, sparked a significant debate due to its radical departure from Ferrari's traditional internal combustion engine heritage and its unconventional styling.

Despite initial criticism and skepticism from purists and industry analysts regarding its design, Ferrari reported strong order numbers for the Luce. The Financial Times noted that the car might have been sold out by the end of the year, and Car News China suggested that the initial 88 units allocated for the Chinese market were quickly snapped up.

While the buyer was not officially named, online publication Quattrorote identified the purchaser as American billionaire Herbert Wertheim. Wertheim, known as "Dr. Herbie," is an inventor who previously patented a solution for anti-ultraviolet coatings for eyeglass lenses in the late 1960s. This acquisition follows his purchase of the final Ferrari Daytona SP3 for over $20 million last year.

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The goal of the action is to increase the level of traffic safety and is focused on preventing the most serious traffic offenses related to drivers of motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, and personal transport devices, with a special emphasis on intensified action in terms of monitoring compliance with legal provisions by drivers of personal transport devices.