Azimut Benetti Group exhibited for the first time ever four of their new models at the 2010 Cannes International Boat Show. Company has reporter great success in the past year in terms of sell-out, which confirms its positive track record. The four exciting new vessels at the Cannes Show were the Atlantis 48 yacht, the motor yacht Azimut 64 and two new models from the updated Bennetti Class line: the Delfino 93 motoryacht and the superyacth Tradition 105. As per the renewal of the range, Benetti’s performance is exceptional. The company has delivered five megayachts over 47 metres in the past four months and three new Delfino Models are currently booked.
Azimut 64 motor yacht bow view
The fleet exhibited at Cannes, which comprises overall 20 vessels, mirrors the state of health of the Group testified by a sell-out with a growth of over 25% and consequent substantial destocking of the dealers network.
Benetti’s performance is particularly satisfactory: due to renewal of the entire fleet, completion of which is scheduled by the end of 2011, its success has been outstanding, with 5 deliveries of megayachts over 47 m in the last 4 months, and the sale of 2 Tradition 105 yachts and 3 Delfino 93’ yachts purchased on paper by clients in China, Australia and the United States. The immediate success of the Delfino range highlights the very special character of this vessel – a great yacht in a small format – destined to represent the new cutting edge of the shipyard.
Azimut 64 Flybridge Motor yacht
Thanks to the company’s very solid financial position, the Azimut-Benetti Group was one of the first companies in the sector to suspend the wages guarantee fund, with the manufacturing sites getting back to full production last March, and was therefore in a position to immediately take advantage of the first market opportunities and confirm its development programmes, in terms of both products and international expansion.
In this regard it is worth underlining that expansion of the range of the three brands is proceeding in line with the three-year plan, with 7 new models exhibited at this year’s autumn boat shows.
These 7 new models are in addition to the models recently presented including the Azimut Yachts “Grande” Collection which, as the name implies, is characterised not only by its size, but also by the high level of customisation (integral painting of the hull to highlight recognisability and possibility of adapting the layout and individual areas), high level of privacy and comfort for the owner and his guests (soundproofing and minimisation of possible vibrations) and high level of service (one single after-sales consultant for each owner). Equally important was the opening, in August, of the Itajai production site in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, a project developed to ensure full exploitation of the commercial opportunities in Brazil, which is considered the most interesting emerging market for luxury yachts. When operating to full capacity, the site will produce up to 100 boats a year between 80 and 100 feet.
Azimut 105 luxury motor yacht
In China, where it has already been operating for several years, the company owns a representative office in Shanghai with an organised team that manages a network of dealers covering the entire coastline. Due to this penetration strategy, sales in the last year doubled in terms of both unit and volume. So far almost the entire Azimut range has been introduced onto the market, including an Azimut Grande super yacht scheduled for delivery by the end of 2010.
The results of the Yachtique Service Division are also going from strength to strength. Among the services offered, refitting has been particularly successful and during this last nautical season via the Lusben Division, over 40 boats have been refitted at the historic site in Viareggio and 20 at the Livorno site, which has been operating for two years. The company, which boasts the most advanced technologies and equipment in the shipyard world, in addition to 250,000sqm of yard space, is currently evaluating partnership agreements in the Mediterranean area to increase the number of its sites and multiply business opportunities.
Azimt Grande 120SL super yacht profile
Lastly, we should not forget the brilliant achievements of the Group’s R&D Department which, last season, concentrated on the development of engines with low environmental impact and devices for maximising safety and comfort on board. The results can be seen in some of the new models proposed. These include the new Benetti Delfino yacht range, equipped with a compartmentation system which guarantees extremely high standards of safety in any hull impact situation, a feature which is practically non-existent in other yachts of this size.
Development of the Magellano 50 yacht (which will be presented at the Genoa Boat Show) is no less important. The boat is in class A and in Rina Green Plus class notation thanks to many environmentally-friendly strategies adopted, such as production of the main parts in fibreglass by infusion, the Dual Mode hull, the exclusive use of LEDs for the lighting, the choice of wood exclusively from certified forests and the positioning of anti-UV films on the side windows to increase air conditioning efficiency. Concerning the engine, the Magellano 50 motoryacht is the first boat to be fitted with the new Easy Hybrid system, an exclusive project created by Azimut-Benetti to sail up to 8 knots using electric motors, in complete silence and with the greatest ease and control.
“As in the past, we continue to be solid, dynamic and always ready to grasp new opportunities” declared the Chairman of the Group Paolo Vitelli. The market scenario, which over the last two years has profoundly changed the nautical world, dictates severe but correct rules, rewarding the most reliable and competitive firms who have always put the client at the centre of their business”.
