New Car Protection on Imported Vehicles Part 2: Italy

Kimberly Giramma • Jul 12, 2023

New Car Delivery: How Your Imported Vehicle Travels from Italy to the US


We are back with Part 2 of our 3-part series on New Car Protection for imported vehicles. In this post we continue our exploration of new car delivery, discussing the journey that your new Italian machine takes before it arrives at your doorstep, polished, detailed, and ready for its first drive. If you haven't read Part 1 of our series, check it out on our Blog here: New Car Protection on Imported Vehicles Part 1: Germany (superiordetailer.com)

From the Italian Factory to US Shores


Italy is known for exporting a range of vehicles to the United States, including luxury and performance cars from brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini, as well as vehicles from other Italian manufacturers such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. While we do see these latter makes in our shop, we namely see Lamborghinis and Ferraris. As such, this post focuses on those two specific vehicle makes.


Italian automobiles Lamborghini and Ferrari each begin their voyage, hand built, in Sant'Agata Bolognese and Maranello, Italy, respectively. These two iconic Italian luxury car manufacturers are well-known for producing high-performance sports cars and bringing them to the world since the 1930s. Both Ferrari and Lamborghini have become symbols of luxury, performance, and Italian automotive excellence. Their cars are coveted by car enthusiasts and collectors around the world, and each brand has its distinct personality and design philosophy.


Once these vehicles roll off the assembly line, they are prepared for their journey across the Atlantic. The United States imports thousands of Lamborghinis and Ferraris to various ports within the contiguous US per year. The following figures from ImportGenius.com show the top ports for each vehicle manufacturer.

When it comes to transporting Ferrari and Lamborghini vehicles from Italy to the United States, there are a few common methods used:

  • Shipping by Sea: The most common method is transporting vehicles by sea using container ships or roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels. The cars are typically loaded into containers or onto specialized car-carrying trailers and secured for the journey. Shipping containers can hold multiple vehicles, while RoRo vessels allow for direct loading and unloading of vehicles.
  • Air Freight: In some cases, high-value or time-sensitive vehicles may be transported by air. Air freight offers a quicker transit time but is generally more expensive than sea transport. Cargo planes or chartered flights may be used to transport the vehicles from Italy to the United States.
  • Ground Transportation: Once the vehicles arrive at the port in the United States, they are typically transported to their final destinations via road. Depending on the distance, the cars may be transported on car carriers or by specialized vehicle transport services.

It's important to note that the logistics and transportation details may vary depending on the specific circumstances and arrangements made by the manufacturers, importers, or individual buyers. The process may also involve customs clearance, documentation, and compliance with import regulations and requirements of both Italy and the United States.


As we mentioned in Part 1 of this series, many things can happen in the journey between factory to the Superior Detailer shop. This is one of the reasons many of our clients don't even drive their vehicles before having them sent to us for detailing and protection.


Transport also sometimes includes Steve and Kim personally picking up the vehicle from the local dealership. As show in the photo below, Superior Detailer transports a brand new Lamborghini Urus from dealership to the SD shop.

The Importance of New Car Protection 


While specific details about the exact detailing and polishing processes at Ferrari and Lamborghini factories may not be publicly available, it is well known that both manufacturers prioritize exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail in the production of their vehicles. These luxury car brands place great importance on achieving flawless finishes and delivering cars that showcase the highest levels of quality and aesthetics.

Specific to these and several other automotive luxury brands is the processes of hand finishing and paint correction. Ferrari and Lamborghini vehicles are often meticulously hand-finished by skilled craftsmen. Further, the paintwork of each vehicle undergoes extensive processes to achieve a flawless and mirror-like finish. Paint correction techniques, such as wet sanding and polishing, are often employed to remove imperfections and enhance the clarity and depth of the paint. All that said, when we see a brand new Ferrari or Lamborghini, they often display evidence of paint correction and sanding work done at the dealership without that final polish to achieve perfection.


This is why new car protection and auto detailing becomes crucial. When we talk about new car protection, here are some examples of some processes we employ:

  • Full High-End Interior/Exterior Detail
  • Paint Correction
  • Paint Protection Film
  • Ceramic Coating (Modesta Coatings)
  • Interior and Wheel Protection


We have perfected the paint work on countless BRAND NEW Ferrari and Lamborghini models such as:

  • Ferrari F8 Tributo
  • Ferrari Roma
  • Lamborghini Huracan 
  • Lamborghini Aventador


Not only does car detailing and protective measures enhance the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle, but they also provide several practical benefits. Auto detailing helps prevent further damage to the car’s exterior, increases the vehicle's overall value, and simplifies future maintenance. In essence, new car protection is an investment that pays dividends over the lifespan of the vehicle.

Auto Detailing at Superior Detailer 


At Superior Detailer, we receive many vehicles directly from the dealerships. We meticulously handle each car, rectifying any factory- or transportation-induced blemishes and ensuring the cars are in pristine condition before their owners take possession. 


In the world of auto detailing, the aim is always perfection. We strive to deliver this perfection to you, ensuring your brand-new Italian machine not only turns heads on the road but also maintains its beauty and value for the long haul.


This completes the journey of your new car delivery, a trip that spans thousands of miles, multiple modes of transport, and ends with the meticulous detailing process. Your Italian vehicle's voyage is a testament to the lengths we go to bring these engineering marvels from their birthplace to you, ensuring they remain flawless as they hit the Central Florida roads! 

See you all out there!

The before and after shots below show the swirl marks in a brand new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ63. Our Paint Correction removes all factory defects like this and prepares the surface for Paint Protection Film and Modesta Coating applications.

  • Paint Correction Work to Remove Swirls Before Protection

    Button
  • This completes the journey of your new car delivery, a trip that spans thousands of miles, multiple modes of transport, and ends with the meticulous detailing process. Your German vehicle's voyage is a testament to the lengths we go to bring these engineering marvels from their birthplace in Germany to you, ensuring they remain flawless and ready to perform.

    We hope that you enjoyed learning a bit about the process of manufacturer to detail shop. Stay tuned for more posts about this subject and journeys from other countries like Italy, the UK, and Japan!

    

    Get your car in next!

    Book Specialty Detailing Services Now

    Shop Now

    ABOUT US


    Our mission is to provide the highest level of fine auto detailing services with 100% customer satisfaction. Our #1 priority is YOU and your vehicle. We take a one-on-one approach with all of our clients and build relationships based on honest work and integrity. 

    MEET THE TEAM


    We are a team of professional detailers, internationally and locally trained. Working closely together, each of our individual strengths complement each other and create an exceptionally well-rounded team. We are Superior Detailer! Owner, Steven Fritz, started his detailing career in 2002 at a Central Florida car wash. In 2008 he founded Superior Detailer LLC as a high-end mobile detailing business. He has been perfecting the art of fine automobile detailing ever since. What started as a small mobile detailing business has turned into a family business in a state-of-the-art detailing studio in Downtown Orlando. 

    Steve Fritz Superior Detailer Car Detailer Orlando

    STEVEN "KARIM" FRITZ

    Owner/Chief Operator

    As the owner and founder, Steven invests his soul and passion for automobiles into every vehicle that he touches. He is an avid car enthusiast with over 19 years of high-end detailing experience, continuously educating himself on the latest products and techniques. He has trained at NXT, is XPEL factory trained, and a Modesta Verified Installer. Steven's passion for automobiles and detailing has taken him all over the world, even detailing in Europe and the Middle East. Steven is the creative mind behind all SD detailing processes and procedures. Steven is also an amateur photographer and takes nearly every photo that you see on this website and our social media platforms. In his spare time he enjoys photography, cycling, riding his motorcycle, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Kim, and their two animals. 

    Kim Giramma Superior Detailer Orlando Florida

    KIM GIRAMMA

    Managing Partner/Auto Detailer

    Kim, Steve’s wife, joined the team part-time in 2013. Since then, her detailing skills have evolved to include paint protection film application, Modesta coatings, and polish work. Kim is a factory-trained XPEL PPF installer, completed Intermediate Polishing Techniques at Rupes in Colorado, and received Modesta Verification in Budapest. She manages all aspects of the business with Steve to include website development and social media. Kim has a B.A. in English from the University of Central Florida. Before joining the SD team full time, she had a 15-year career as a Technical Writer and Proposal Specialist. Her hobbies include cycling, weightlifting, and traveling with her husband, Steve.

    GUILHERME BATISTELE DE BARROS

    Auto Detailer

    Guilherme (Gi) completes the SD team. Gi is an Auto Detailer from GSB Detailing in Brazil. He brings over 12 years of detailing experience to the SD team. His area of expertise is classic car detailing and restoration and he especially likes undercarriage detailing and restoration. Gi is an IDA Certified Detailer, became a BigFoot Systems Specialist at Rupes in Italy, and completed KockChemie 1k-Nano application training. He also completed the Sonax Glass Polishing online courses. Gi is extremely passionate about cars and his work, and strives for success every day. When he's not at the SD studio, Gi is detailing or working on his Mustang. He enjoys car shows, weightlifting, and spending time with his wife and dog in Orlando, FL.

    OUR STUDIO

    The environment in which we work has a huge affect on the quality of work produced. For us, this means having two separate climate-controlled spaces to accommodate for spikes in heat and humidity. It means separating our high-end detailing services to prevent contamination in film and coating applications. Our Downtown Orlando studio is 5,600 sq. ft. of air conditioned space with 2,500 sq. ft. dedicated to clean PPF and coating applications.  

    We have an indoor wash bay with warm and deionized water. We utilize Rupes machines, LED overhead lighting, and Scangrip/LED portable lighting. We have a 4-post lift, scissor lift, and QuickJacks portable car lifts. Our spaces are separately outfitted with right LED lighting for the specific work being performed. We have CCTV security cameras inside and out, with 24-hr armed on-property security monitoring.


    Come see why we are Superior!


    By Maysel Estevez 26 Apr, 2024
    Happy Monday indeed, with this awesome Audi SQ5 getting some well-deserved attention!
    By Maysel Estevez 26 Apr, 2024
    Explore the Ford Maverick in Azure Grey Metallic: Fresh Style, Advanced Features. This “car truck” is equipped with fresh tint, front PPF installation, and a thick coat of Modesta BC-X . 
    Detailing, Paint Protection Film, and Modesta Coatings on this Audi SQ5
    By Kimberly Giramma 26 Apr, 2024
    April 2024 Detail of the Month 2021 Audi SQ5 Paint Protection Film, Detailing, Modesta Ceramic Coatings
    By Maysel Estevez 26 Apr, 2024
    Our team gave this Porsche Turbo S a top-of-the-line three-quarter full-body PPF wrap and Modesta North America coatings. We always strive to provide the best service to our clients, and this car was no exception. Turbo Tuesday!
    corvette inside the superior shop in red mist metallic
    By Maysel Estevez 04 Apr, 2024
    Check out this 2024 Corvette ZO6 in a beautiful Red Mist! After a level 1 Paint Correction, we applied our “track pack” paint protection film protection to the entire front-end and high-impact areas, Modesta BC05 on the entire body, and Modesta glass coatings on the brake calipers and wheels. This car is well-protected and ready for the roads ahead
    By Kimberly Giramma 03 Apr, 2024
    March 2024 Details of the Month Are All About Mustangs
    By Maysel Estevez 22 Mar, 2024
    Beautiful GT-R
    By Maysel Estevez 21 Mar, 2024
    The 6th Gen Camaro 2SS 1LE Camaro is the last production year for the Chevrolet Camaro!
    By Maysel Estevez 20 Mar, 2024
    We treated the 4th Gen 5.0 Coyote-powered Mustang to our Signature new car prep and Modesta North America coatings: full decontamination of the paint work, wheels, calipers and Level 1 paint correction, Modesta BC-X on the paint, and BC-06 on the wheels/calipers. Corrected, Protected, and Perfected! Look for this one out at a local CFL Mustang meet.
    By Maysel Estevez 20 Mar, 2024
    Restoring a Porsche to its former glory is always an exciting way to start the week!
    More Posts
    Share by: