Ferrari will expand its line-up of road cars, but not by much

Italian premium sports car maker Ferrari will expand sales of easier-driving grand touring cars, but will not try to chase rival Porsche's annual sales volume, Ferrari chairperson John Elkann told classic car enthusiasts at the Concours d'Elegance in California at the weekend.

Elkann also reiterated that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, of which he is chairperson, remains open to opportunities to combine with other automakers, but is positioned to remain independent. In May, Fiat Chrysler proposed a merger with French automaker Renault, but the deal fell apart after the French government intervened and Elkann withdrew the proposed merger.

Fiat Chrysler chief executive Mike Manley sent the same message to Renault and other would-be partners earlier this month.

Elkann visited Pebble Beach during the annual Concours d'Elegance, where wealthy collectors bring some of the world's rarest vintage automobiles to be admired, and sold, and premium manufacturers showcase exotic new models.

Ferrari is best known for flashy, high-performance sports cars. Among fans of vintage Ferrari models, more understated GT, or grand touring, cars from the 1960s, some with seating for four people, are among the most popular models on auction blocks and at enthusiast events. GT cars were designed to be comfortable on longer road trips.

Elkann hinted that Ferrari will unveil a new GT-type car in November. Ferrari has said previously that about 40% of its total sales could come from GT cars by 2022, up from 32% now.

Ferrari has outlined plans to expand revenue to €5bn (roughly R84bn) by 2022 from €3.4bn (roughly R57bn) in 2017. The company has said it plans to add a model called the Purosangue to compete with a growing stable of sport utility vehicles wearing premium sports car brands, such as the Lamborghini Urus.

Rival Porsche AG, a unit of Volkswagen AG, has expanded its sales to more than 250,000 sports cars and sport utility vehicles annually. Elkann said Ferrari is not aiming for Porsche's level of sales.

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