F430 missing in action

The Australian International Motor Show opens in Sydney today without one of its star exhibits after Ferrari's centrepiece failed to arrive.

The  Ferrari F430, which was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show just weeks ago, was scheduled to land at Sydney airport on Monday but was not on the plane.

The importer began a frantic scramble to find the car or secure a replacement, but in vain.

“Somehow it got lost in Germany and missed the flight,” Mr Rowe said.

The F430 Scuderia is the fastest production Ferrari ever and will cost about $600,000 when deliveries start next year.

It was to be one of the stars of this year's Sydney motor show, which also includes world debuts of the Mitsubishi EvoX and Toyota LandCruiser.