Ferrari terminates contract with dealer involved in serious scandal: customers in distress

Ferrari has officially ended its collaboration with one of its authorized distributors in Germany, Mertel Italo Cars, following a scandal with major repercussions. The Nuremberg-based dealership is currently under judicial investigation for fraud on an exceptional scale, potentially involving dozens of luxury vehicles sold to several customers at once.

Investigation into fraud, forgery and concealed bankruptcy

It all began at the beginning of July 2025, when the German justice system confirmed that it had opened an investigation against two executives of Mertel Italo Cars, suspected of orchestrating a vast swindle. Prosecutor Heike Klotzbücher points out that the investigation includes serious charges of fraud, falsification of documents and concealed insolvency.

Searches were carried out at the premises of the company, located in the Nordwestliche Außenstadt district of Nuremberg. According to information relayed by several German media, the company's directors sold certain Ferrari models to several different customers, without ever delivering the vehicles, creating a potential loss that could run into the hundreds of millions of euros.

One of the names mentioned is that of Siegfried Mertel, founder and director of the company, but the German justice system has not officially confirmed whether he is among those targeted. To date, he has not reacted publicly. The two main suspects are said to have fled to a Middle Eastern country.

Ferrari breaks contract

Faced with the scale of the scandal, Ferrari was quick to react. In an email sent to its customers on July 10, 2025, the Italian marque announced that it had terminated its distribution and service contract with Mertel Italo Cars, effective immediately.

However, Ferrari remains very cautious in its communication: no direct reference to criminal charges is made. The brand refers only to "non-fulfilment of contractual obligations" and complaints from customers questioning the Maranello firm's compliance with quality standards.

Nevertheless, it is a strong and unambiguous measure. Ferrari has also announced that it is looking for a new sales partner in the Nuremberg region, in order to maintain a high-end local presence and reassure its customers. It is committed to assisting aggrieved customers in the transition to a new authorized service point.

Customers in distress

Since the raid, the Mertel Italo Cars website has remained online, but the telephone number has been disconnected, citing a technical fault. The premises are closed to the public. The dealership's instragram page has been deleted. Many anxious customers, waiting for their Ferrari to be delivered or seeking to collect their money, have tried to visit the site in person, without success.

German justice remains cautious: no conclusions will be drawn for several weeks, as investigators will have to examine large volumes of documents.

A blow to the Ferrari network's image

The Mertel Italo Cars affair casts a shadow over the official network of the prancing-horse marque, renowned for its exacting standards and image of excellence. Although Ferrari was quick to sever the links, the seriousness of the accusations and the flight of the alleged executives could have lasting media and legal repercussions.

This affair is a reminder that no brand, even one as prestigious as Ferrari, is totally immune from defaulting partners. In Germany, as elsewhere, the affair is likely to lead to tighter internal controls and greater customer protection in the highly sensitive luxury car segment.