Ferrari debuts 7-year free-maintenance plan

Need another reason to buy a Ferrari, if you have the means? The Prancing Horse is now offering a free, seven-year scheduled-maintenance program for those who put a 2012 California, 458 Italia or FF in their driveway.

Ferrari announced the program this week for North America, and it will roll out in global markets over the next few months. The program includes regular maintenance at 12,500 miles, or once a year.

Meanwhile, the Prancing Horse also revealed financial results for the first six months of the year, and net profits grew 23.5 percent, to $131.86 million, on the strength of revenue that increased 19.6 percent. The supercar maker also delivered 3,577 cars in that time, an upswing of 11.8 percent compared with 2011.

Ferrari pointed to strong sales of its two 12-cylinders--the 599 GTO and the SA Aperta--for strong volume. The California and the 458 also reported solid figures, the company said.

In North America, sales jumped 23.2 percent to 939 vehicles in the first half, and it remains the No. 1 market for the brand.

Interestingly, Ferrari said all of its cars were personalized in some way by customers. Look for similar results when the "tailor made" program launches in September.

Additionally, 176 copies of the 458 were sold for GT competition around the world.

Ferrari said the FF, the first all-wheel-drive car from the Prancing Horse, has not made an impact yet on the financial results, as it is just now reaching the market after a reveal at the Geneva motor show.

In other news, Ferrari signed a deal with shoemaker Puma. The Formula One team stands third in the World Championship with 192 points, trailing McLaren (243) and Red Bull (355). Its next race is this weekend in Hungary.

By Greg Migliore