A Ferrari phone, a Lamborghini laptop and a Porsche designed computer hard drive. The common thread is obvious. All of these products were designed or endorsed by the car manufacturer. But why? A new profit stream, an additional outlet for the companies creatives or simply, a little boost to their egos? Probably all, maybe more.

Luxury mobile phone maker Vertu has introduced the limited edition Ascent Ferrari 1947.

Developed in collaboration with Ferrari’s design team, the phone commemorate’s Ferrari’s 60th anniversary.

The phone is made from hand-polished titanium with black stripes down the sides. The Ferrari Prancing Horse logo is on the front with a Ferrari brake pedal on the back.

This all leads to an interesting question. There have been many examples lately of car manufacturers helping develop what I call off-line products. Phones, laptops and computer hard drives are just a few things that come to mind, benefitting from an auto manufacturers design team.

[Build a list of links showing the various products now available.]