Ferrari’s long-serving marketing boss has stepped down just weeks after the luxury car maker faced a backlash over the launch of its first fully electric model.

Enrico Galliera, who has spent 16 years at Ferrari, is leaving his role as chief marketing and commercial officer. He will be replaced in July by former BMW Italy boss Massimiliano Di Silvestre.

The supercar maker said Galliera had “decided to embark on a new chapter in his professional journey”, adding that the move had been agreed with the business “some time ago”.

His departure follows a difficult launch for Ferrari’s first electric car, the Luce, which was unveiled in May with a price tag of $640,000, equivalent to around £485,552.

The model was met with a wave of criticism online, with its design sparking memes and negative reaction from some high-profile figures.

The Luce’s appearance, designed by former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive, was criticised by Ferrari’s former chairman and by Italy’s deputy prime minister and transport minister Matteo Salvini.

Ferrari’s shares fell 8 per cent the day after the car was unveiled, although the company did not refer to the Luce launch in its statement announcing Galliera’s exit.

Galliera joined Ferrari in 2010 and played a key role in shaping the commercial strategy of one of the world’s most sought-after luxury brands.

His remit included overseeing how Ferrari allocates its limited-production vehicles to clients, a crucial part of the company’s model as it balances exclusivity, scarcity and global demand.

Ferrari chief executive Benedetto Vigna said Galliera had “played a significant role in the company’s growth and in strengthening the Ferrari brand worldwide”.

“He has the gratitude of the entire Ferrari team and my personal best wishes for the future,” Vigna added.

Galliera was involved in several major milestones during his time at the business, including the 2013 launch of LaFerrari, its first production hybrid hypercar, as well as Ferrari’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2015 and in Milan the following year.

His exit comes as Ferrari enters one of the most sensitive periods in its modern history, with the luxury car maker attempting to bring electric technology into a brand built on combustion engines, sound, performance and heritage.

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