DETROIT -

The 2012 Automotive Executive of the Year Award was recently doled out, and taking this year’s honors was Ferarri North America’s head.

Late last week, the award was presented to Marco Mattiacci, president and chief executive officer of Ferrari North America.

Mattiacci received the accolade at an invitation-only luncheon held at the Detroit Athletic Club. More than 200 automotive executives and suppliers, as well as Ferrari guests, dealers, customers and enthusiasts attended, officials noted.

"I accept this award on behalf of the 3,400 worldwide employees of Ferrari," Mattiacci told the audience.

"My leadership is really about the Ferrari brand and making sure that our company continues its growth, success and commitment to innovation and pioneering new technologies,” he added.

The company also took the time to highlight the growth Ferrari’s North American operations — which includes North, Central, and South America — has enjoyed under Mattiacci’s leaderships.

“Mattiacci has grown sales in these markets 20 percent. This impressive growth has allowed Ferrari to hold its top position in the ultra-exclusive, yet increasingly competitive segment of the global luxury automotive industry,” the company shared.

And executives from DNV Business Assurance, one of the sponsors for the award, also expressed enthusiasm for the executive and his contributions to the industry.

"Under Marco Mattiacci’s leadership, Ferrari has achieved tremendous momentum in North America," commented Robert Djurovic, DNV Business Assurance’s director of automotive services — North America and executive director of the 2012 Automotive Executive of the Year Award program.

"He is recognized today as an emerging leader whose success in sustaining and expanding the culture of one of the world’s most significant and exclusive brands is at the heart of his eligibility for this award,” he added.

Djurovic went on to note that by honoring Mattiacci, “the automotive industry is recognizing Ferrari North America’s innovative marketing and sharp focus on customer satisfaction, ownership experience and brand integrity.

"Ferrari reminds us all of what we love and cherish about the automotive industry — passion, design, racing and best-in-class technology," Djurovic continued.

The Automotive Executive of the Year Award has been given since 1964 and past recipients include Alan Mulally, James O’Sullivan, Jim Press, Carroll Shelby (Lifetime Achievement Award), Bill Ford, Jr., Dieter Zetsche, Henry Ford II, Rick Wagoner, Bob Lutz, Carlos Ghosn and Lee Iacocca, among others.