Lamborghini and Ferrari are two of the most iconic supercar brands ever, and the protagonists of one of the greatest rivalries in automation. Founded by two men born during the first world war, these companies have never shied away from the tempestuous tension that persists between them. The actual beginnings of the rivalry are very Shakespearean in nature, nobody knows for sure what started it, but everyone knows that it is their duty to keep it alive. Some claim this “vendetta” began when Enzo Ferrari told Ferruccio Lamborghini to “stick to tractors,” while others swear that it was Lamborghini who criticized the clutches on Ferrari’s vehicles. But then again, it doesn’t take much to get two relentless and ambitious competitors to butt heads.
Thus, the bull and the horse were pitted against each other for a race that would last decades. As time has passed and the brands have grown to become household names, the competition between the companies has taken a back seat. Looking at these companies now, one can still see the hot-headed and impulsive nature of Enzo Ferrari, or the determined and driven life of Lamborghini still shining through. However, there are now so many crucial similarities and differences in the ways these companies choose to do business. Here are some of the curious, unusual, and downright strange rules in the Ferrari Code of Conduct and the Lamborghini Ethic Code that employees must follow.
10 Lamborghini: No Conversations About Meeting Places
Interestingly enough, Lamborghini dissuades its employees from sharing notes on meeting locations and details with other employees. Instead, each person is encouraged to reach out to their supervisors and get the information from the source. This is most likely done to halt hackers pretending to be employees and gaining useful information about the brand.
9 Ferrari: Supervisors Must Be Supportive
Though this one seems to be a given in most professional settings, it is nice of Ferrari to make it a part of the company’s policy. Almost a “play nice” clause, the rule requires supervisors to be supportive of staff and give each person enough time to speak their mind.
8 Lamborghini: No Correcting Misinformation Online
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If there is anything people have gotten good at in the past ten years its speaking their mind online, which is often based on misinformation. As a part of a corporate initiative to stop misinformation about their products, Lamborghini asks employees to report such incidences to the company instead of taking it upon themselves to correct. Though necessary, this rule must really annoy the true gear heads among their employees.
7 Ferrari: Employees Cannot Buy Ferraris
Perhaps one of the most absurd rules of the company, it reportedly goes to ensure that customers have a fair chance at getting their hands on new models. However, there are two employees at who are allowed to buy the newer models, Ferrari’s F1 drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr, hopefully it can be enough incentive to start winning again.
6 Lamborghini: No Expensive Gifts
Everyone knows that reporters and competitions will do anything to get at the secrets of successful companies. These include, extravagant dinners, expensive gifts and even incredible favors. For this exact reason, Lamborghini urges its employees to reject such offers and gifts from anyone that maybe be professionally invested in the act. Though employees have to miss on some expensive bottles of wine and cans of caviar, they end up saving the company from failed or ruined launches.
5 Ferrari: No Employee Discounts
Understandable considering the previous Ferrari rule, this rule applies to the two employees who are allowed to buy and honestly critique Ferraris. Though the F1 drivers make Ferrari millions every year, they still have to pay full price for any merchandise they want to buy. Though perhaps its fair considering the millions Ferrari pays them on a yearly basis.
4 Lamborghini: Can Speak With Competitors, But Must Be Careful
Though Lamborghini’s employees aren’t barred from speaking to employees at competitor companies, they must be very careful in what they say. They are quite strongly encouraged to keep the conversations casual and far away from automation or company specifics.
3 Ferrari: Open Communication Is Key, But Not About Everything
Much like Lamborghini, Ferrari enjoys keeping its information private until they themselves are ready to release it. Although Ferrari’s employees are allowed to freely communicate with competitors and the media, they must first check in with their superiors before disclosing information about the company. This applies even after they leave company.
2 Lamborghini: No Reading Spam On Company Email
Tough on the surface it looks a strategy to keep workers productive, the true intention behind this rule is much more clever. In recent years, Lamborghini’s online presence has grown immensely, going as far as selling custom NFT’s, and with it has grown their eye for cybersecurity. Lamborghini understands that many people out there want to steal and leak the confidential information they have. Because this can be achieved in many ways, including hacking computers through links and emails, they ask employees to only ever open company emails.
1 Ferrari: No Criticizing The Brand
This one is less a rule but a norm. Though It’s not necessarily written anywhere in the code of ethics, past and current employees have reported that openly criticizing the brand has never been seen in a good light. Fortunately, the company’s leadership seems committed to listening to and integrating the ideas of its employees in the way they do business.
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