Ferrari Customers Seek Answers After Colombia Dealership Dispute Leaves Vehicle Orders Unresolved

Customers question advance payments after former Ferrari representative changes operations in Colombia

Several Ferrari customers in Colombia are seeking answers after paying advance deposits for vehicles that they say have not been delivered, following the end of the relationship between Ferrari and its former Colombian representative, Autos Italianos de Colombia S.A.

The dispute emerged in July 2026 after customers reported uncertainty over vehicle orders and advance payments made through the Bogotá dealership. Ferrari North America confirmed that Autos Italianos de Colombia was no longer part of its authorized distributor network as of June 4, 2026, and said it was working to identify a new representative for Colombia.

At the center of the controversy are buyers who say they transferred significant sums of money for Ferrari vehicles but have not received their cars or refunds. One customer, businessman Antonio Mendivil, said he paid a $30,000 USD deposit toward a vehicle order and was later informed that Ferrari had not received the funds.

“We made the $30,000 USD advance, and we were left with the fact that my $30,000 USD never reached Ferrari; it stayed in Colombia, in this company called Autos Italianos.” – Antonio Mendivil, Ferrari customer

According to reports from Colombian media, several customers had placed orders through the Ferrari showroom previously operated by Autos Italianos de Colombia in northern Bogotá. Buyers said they expected the dealership to manage the ordering process, international production timeline and eventual delivery of their vehicles.

The Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC), Colombia’s consumer protection authority, began reviewing the situation after receiving complaints from customers. On July 22, 2026, the agency requested information from Autos Italianos de Colombia regarding sales conditions, delivery commitments and its commercial relationship with Ferrari.

The SIC’s action is a preliminary consumer protection review and does not represent a final finding of wrongdoing. The authority is seeking documentation to determine whether consumer regulations were followed in the sale of the vehicles.

Ferrari North America has distanced itself from the dispute involving the former distributor and stated that matters related to customer claims against Autos Italianos de Colombia should be addressed directly with that company. The company also confirmed that it is searching for a new official distributor in Colombia.

On July 31, 2026, Autos Italianos de Colombia responded to the dispute by announcing that it had initiated legal proceedings against Ferrari North America. The former distributor requested evidence-gathering measures before civil courts in Bogotá to examine the circumstances surrounding the termination of its representation agreement, including Ferrari’s decision-making process, vehicle allocations, customer orders and advance payments. The company’s legal action represents a separate dispute from the consumer complaints filed by Ferrari buyers and does not constitute a finding that either party acted improperly.

The case has also drawn attention from the Fiscalía General de la Nación after complaints from buyers regarding possible irregularities. Allegations reported by customers and media remain under investigation and have not resulted in a confirmed judicial finding against the individuals or companies involved.

For luxury vehicle buyers, the dispute shows the importance of understanding payment structures, contractual responsibilities and the role of authorized distributors in high-value international purchases.

Ferrari vehicles often involve long production timelines, customized specifications and substantial advance payments. The resolution of the Colombia dispute will depend on whether authorities and the parties involved can clarify the status of customer funds, pending orders and contractual obligations.

Headline photo : Ferrari showroom in Bogota (Photo shared by EEIM via Wikimedia Commons)