Sales double as Prancing Horse demand rears (ANSA) - Maranello, March 2 - Ferrari sports cars are starting to make inroads in China, the glamorous Italian auto maker reported Thursday .

Ferrari has expanded its sales network to meet demand from the booming Chinese market and now has 12 strategically placed showrooms .

Sales of its lithe roadsters more than doubled last year, with 96 new Ferraris hitting Chinese highways .

The Italian dream cars also enjoyed a boom elsewhere, with 40% more models rolling onto Middle East roads and 35% more streaking across South America .



With North America (+7.6%) and Europe (+11.5%) also clicking into higher gears, the Prancing Horse had an "extraordinary" year that pumped profits up 14% to 157 million euros, Chairman Luca di Montezemolo said .

The Italian icon delivered new status symbols into the hands of 5,409 eager buyers around the world - a rise of 8.7% .

The workhorses in the stable's sales drive were the high-selling F430 and 612 Scaglietti models which retail at $200-250,000 .

Sales were also boosted by the limited-edition Superamerica rotating-roof GT convertible, which goes for cool $300,000 .

The sexiest addition to the range last year was the stunning FXX supercar, which became the most expensive vehicle ever sold new, at a staggering $1.8 million .

Only 29 examples are coming out - all 29 already bagged by preselected past Ferrari customers .