"I know nothing about cars, but...": Jeff Bezos' advice that led Ferrari to consider building its first electric car
Ferrari has just revealed one of the most intriguing stories surrounding the development of its first fully electric car. Surprisingly, one of the names associated with the origins of this project comes from the technology industry rather than the automotive sector.
Ferrari’s CEO, John Elkann, said that a conversation he had with Jeff Bezos in 2016 led him to seriously consider the possibility of producing an electric Ferrari. Ten years later, this idea has come to fruition in the form of the Ferrari Luce, according to Reuters.
It all started during a walk the two took in July of that year. According to Elkann, Amazon’s founder admitted he didn’t know much about cars but knew a lot about innovation, and advised Ferrari to seriously consider developing an electric vehicle.
A conversation in 2016 changed Ferrari’s perspective
“I don’t know anything about cars, but I know a lot about innovation,” Bezos reportedly told Elkann before suggesting the idea of going with an electric car. For Ferrari’s president, that conversation marked the moment he began to seriously consider using this technology for the Italian brand.
This does not mean that Bezos later participated in the development of the vehicle, nor that Ferrari immediately decided to launch the project. However, Elkann considers that meeting one of the first turning points that eventually paved the way for Maranello’s first electric car.
It took years for the idea to take shape. Ferrari continued developing internal combustion engines and gradually introducing electrification through hybrid systems, until it finally confirmed that it was preparing a fully electric car as part of its future strategy.
That car would eventually become the Ferrari Luce, unveiled in 2026 and conceived as more than just an electric adaptation of one of Ferrari’s existing sports cars. The brand wanted to use this project to explore a new interpretation of what a Ferrari can be in the electric era.
Jony Ive was also crucial to the project
Another unexpected figure behind the Luce is Jony Ive, former head of design at Apple and one of the designers associated with products like the iPhone, iPod, and MacBook. His studio, LoveFrom, has been collaborating with Ferrari for about five years to develop various aspects of the new model.
The project began with research into Ferrari’s history, culture, and identity. From there, the teams in California and Maranello worked together to create a car that looked toward the future rather than simply transferring traditional brand elements to an electric vehicle.
Ive himself has stated that the intention was not to replicate historical elements just because they worked in other Ferraris, but to develop a new concept capable of representing the next stage for the company.
Ferrari Opens a New Chapter with the Luce
Ferrari’s entry into the electric car market has sparked debate since the first details of the project were revealed. Its design and the concept of a Ferrari without an internal combustion engine have led to mixed opinions among fans and supporters of the company.
Ferrari, however, views the Luce as an important part of its strategy for the coming years. The company officially unveiled the model’s name in early 2026 before completing its global debut later. The brand also does not intend to abandon traditional engines. Its roadmap includes using various technologies, combining combustion engine, hybrid, and electric models as it evolves its lineup over the next few years.
The interesting thing is that one of the earliest seeds of this change can be traced back to that 2016 outing. A conversation between Ferrari’s president and Amazon’s founder led Elkann to wonder if it was time to start envisioning a completely electric Ferrari.