Ferrari's debut electric car, the Luce, has drawn sharp criticism from observers who fear that battery technology has weakened the distinctive traits that long defined the brand's allure.

The new model, whose name means light in Italian, provoked strong online reactions after its reveal. Shares in the company dropped as much as 10 percent, while social platforms filled with memes, side-by-side comparisons and vocal disapproval from longtime enthusiasts. The response centers less on electrification itself and more on the design choices and the sense that the vehicle no longer captures the classic Ferrari character. Former chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo cautioned that the car could damage the brand's storied reputation, highlighting an ongoing tension within the company about its future direction.

The Controversy

The soft blue color chosen for the launch drew immediate online scorn, with many likening the car to the Nissan Leaf, a mainstream electric vehicle far removed from Ferrari's price tier. For a marque built on striking looks and instant recognition, the comparison felt especially damaging. Observers described the styling as generic and closer to ordinary electric-car design than to Ferrari's established visual language. The Luce also adopts a four-door configuration, a five-seat interior and proportions guided by modern interface priorities rather than classic sports-car balance.

Ferrari has long guarded its appearance with strict rules, including an informal list of forbidden modifications that clash with its codes. Cases such as Paris Hilton's pink custom model illustrate how far the company will go to defend its aesthetic standards.

Identity Erosion

The reaction to the Luce ultimately reflects deeper worries about a loss of identity. Ferrari spent years preparing for an electric future, yet the result appears to have moved away from the qualities that created its desirability: the rising mechanical soundtrack of combustion engines, the aerodynamic drama, the constant edge-of-grip tension and the deliberate instability that kept drivers engaged. Critics contend that the new car delivers strong technical performance while lacking the emotional connection to the Ferrari legacy.

Traditional Ferraris require ongoing driver input at the limit, creating an unstable yet rewarding experience. The Luce replaces that dynamic with silence and digital systems focused on stability and control. The outcome is a technically advanced vehicle that removes the physical engagement once central to ownership. Earlier models framed speed as an element of risk; many view the Luce's performance as a smoother, more managed version of that thrill.

Competing with Chinese EVs Was a Strategic Misstep

Ferrari's electric plans also respond to conditions in China, currently the most intense and rapidly evolving market for premium electric vehicles. Unlike Europe, where battery power is still added to existing expectations, China already treats electric performance as standard. Buyers in the top luxury segment demand high power, advanced digital features, fast charging and frequent software updates, often at lower prices than European rivals.

Local makers such as BYD have entered performance territory once dominated by European supercars, offering rapid acceleration, novel equipment and richly equipped cabins. Scale, integrated supply chains and government support have compressed prices and forced global brands to reconsider how they maintain premium status when advanced technology is no longer rare. The size, cost and styling of the Luce reflect an attempt to protect exclusivity in a market already crowded with electric options.

Overall, the response to the Luce is not merely about appearance. It signals investor concern over whether Ferrari can preserve its value during this period of change. The share-price dip after the unveiling points to wider doubts about the brand's ability to retain its identity under electrification. Ferrari has always relied on scarcity and cultural appeal alongside engineering excellence. When that perception falters, even briefly, investor confidence follows. The Luce may mark technical progress, yet market signals suggest that advancement without continuity of desire risks weakening belief in what the marque represents.