Ferrari Cracks Down on Resellers, Sues Owner Who Flipped New Purosangue

In a move to maintain exclusivity, Ferrari is taking a hard line against customers who quickly resell their highly-anticipated Purosangue. This four-door, high-performance SUV is experiencing sky-high demand, with production limited to just a few thousand units annually.

One owner, Todd Carlson, recently learned this the hard way. After purchasing a Purosangue from a Houston dealership, he promptly flipped the car for a profit, ignoring a clause in his purchase agreement. The dealership, Ferrari of Houston, responded by filing a lawsuit against Carlson for violating the contract.

According to the agreement, Carlson was prohibited from reselling the car within the first 18 months of ownership. This “first right of refusal” clause gave the dealership the chance to buy back the Purosangue at its original price. By selling it elsewhere, Carlson potentially missed out on a significant profit himself, while also facing legal repercussions.

Ferrari isn’t the only luxury automaker resorting to such measures. Rolls-Royce has threatened to permanently blacklist customers who resell their cars, particularly the brand’s first electric vehicle, the Spectre. Similarly, Ford sued actor John Cena in 2017 for flipping his limited-edition Ford GT shortly after purchase. Tesla has also taken action against customers who attempted to resell their vehicles before delivery.

These restrictions highlight the lengths some car manufacturers are willing to go to in order to maintain exclusivity and ensure their high-performance vehicles end up in the hands of genuine enthusiasts who plan to hold onto them for the long haul. Potential Purosangue buyers should be aware of these resale limitations before signing on the dotted line.