ChinchillaX
05-01-2004, 03:57 AM
No one is out-and-out saying 'no' when we ask and even we have to admit that all the signs are pointing to an eventual majority sale of Maserati to Volkswagen Group.
It's no secret VW wants the Quattroporte platform for future Phaeton-size vehicles. Nor that the 2006 Maserati Coupe and Spyder will have several Audi components on them, particularly when it comes to all on-board electronics and a version of quattro all-wheel drive. Maserati is also sharing Audi dealers in certain markets and benefiting from Audi client services and financing structures.
Ferrari-Maserati boss Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is now head of the ultra-powerful Italian union Confindustria -- a full-time job that keeps him away from Modena and Maranello. Between this and the fact that Maserati sales are falling well behind forcasts in all markets may signal a move to divest from Maserati in favor of VW leading the show.
A Modena source says, “This is not a surprise to hear and it’s something that has definitely been talked about since we [VW and Maserati] started our technology swap.” A Maranello contact adds, “It’s feeling like it could happen at any time now. Nothing sure yet, but the signs are everywhere.
Source (http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=05588671)
Also, not mentioned in this article, there's an upcoming Maserati SUV which is going to be built on an aluminum space frame at an Audi facility. Ferrari uses similar technology for the 360 Modena and 612 Scaglietti but they don't have the capacity to do something like a Maser SUV.
VW is also developing some kind of quasi upscale platform based somewhat on the Quattroporte, which is rather pissing off the folks at Audi.
Overall I'd say this deal makes good sense, although it's a bit disappointing that Maserati will still be subordinate to another Italian exotic brand under the same corporate umbrella. Somehow just in terms of style, Maserati jives with Ferrari more than it jives with Lamborghini (especially in its Audified status).
It's no secret VW wants the Quattroporte platform for future Phaeton-size vehicles. Nor that the 2006 Maserati Coupe and Spyder will have several Audi components on them, particularly when it comes to all on-board electronics and a version of quattro all-wheel drive. Maserati is also sharing Audi dealers in certain markets and benefiting from Audi client services and financing structures.
Ferrari-Maserati boss Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is now head of the ultra-powerful Italian union Confindustria -- a full-time job that keeps him away from Modena and Maranello. Between this and the fact that Maserati sales are falling well behind forcasts in all markets may signal a move to divest from Maserati in favor of VW leading the show.
A Modena source says, “This is not a surprise to hear and it’s something that has definitely been talked about since we [VW and Maserati] started our technology swap.” A Maranello contact adds, “It’s feeling like it could happen at any time now. Nothing sure yet, but the signs are everywhere.
Source (http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=05588671)
Also, not mentioned in this article, there's an upcoming Maserati SUV which is going to be built on an aluminum space frame at an Audi facility. Ferrari uses similar technology for the 360 Modena and 612 Scaglietti but they don't have the capacity to do something like a Maser SUV.
VW is also developing some kind of quasi upscale platform based somewhat on the Quattroporte, which is rather pissing off the folks at Audi.
Overall I'd say this deal makes good sense, although it's a bit disappointing that Maserati will still be subordinate to another Italian exotic brand under the same corporate umbrella. Somehow just in terms of style, Maserati jives with Ferrari more than it jives with Lamborghini (especially in its Audified status).