The folks at egmCarTech made an interesting, albeit shocking, observation at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. As it turns out, Ferrari — certainly as a result of the Fiat and Chrysler alliance — has been using the exact same infotainment unit as the new Jeep Grand Cherokee (pictured right), making no attempt (at least on the Geneva show floor) to hide the shameful fact. The Ferrari FF (pictured above) and California are the prime suspects.
Before I get called out for being too judgmental or nitpicky, let me say that there is nothing wrong with sharing technologies, especially when considering that the Chrysler Group has one of the best infotainment systems on the market. The problem, though, is that Ferrari should have and could have done more to differentiate the units in the FF and California from the one in the Jeep. The writer at egmCarTech even noticed that the units made the exact same interactive noises.
When we caught wind of this spy photo of the next-generation Maserati Quattroporte sporting an almost identical interior as the new Dodge Charger, we refrained from making premature speculations. However, if a brand as premium as Ferrari can scoop so low as to use the exact same cockpit element as in a much lowlier brand, then what’s stopping the Fiat Group from giving the Quattroporte an almost exact interior as the Charger? The thought of it is far-fetched, but you get the point.
Given that we’re comparing exotic supercars costing in excess of $100,000 to a mainstream SUV costing less than $40,000, Ferrari’s brand image will take a hit, however big or small, once more people catch wind of this.
