Ferrari’s board of directors met yesterday to discuss the financial outcome of the first half of the year. And they came out with a broad smile on their faces: in the first half of 2011, Ferrari achieved its best ever profit and sales in a six-month period in its 82-year long history.

The numbers speak for themselves: net profits for the first half of the year reached €91.8 million, a 23.5% increase over the same period last year. Its revenue rose by 19.6%, to €1,080 million, and sales by 11.8% with 3,577 units delivered, including track racers like the 458 Challenge and limited editions such as the SA Aperta, but without any contribution from the brand-new FF.

If the trend for the first six months continues at these levels in the second half of the year, 2011 will be remembered as one of the best in Ferrari’s history,” commented Ferrari’s Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo.

“We also recently began deliveries of the new FF and we’re taking our first orders from India – the impact of both of these factors will only be seen in the second half of 2011.”

North America remains Ferrari’s number one market with 939 cars sold, a record 23.2% increase over 2010. The main Asian market, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, has overtaken Germany (where sales remained the same at 337 cars) for the number two spot with 378 units sold.

But cars aren’t Ferrari’s sole source of income. Its retail activities in Ferrari-branded products increased by 46% due to the opening of new Ferrari Stores all over the world. The highest-ranking store is in Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World theme park, which has already been visited by 600,000 people.

PHOTO GALLERY