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Modena, June 27, 2001

Maserati is a company with an even longer and more chequered history than Ferrari, who were one of their main rivals on the racetracks of the world during the nineteen fifties, and in the showrooms of high performance cars during the sixties and seventies. The paths taken by the two companies were long and varied, but eventually through the Fiat empire they became stable mates in July 1997, when Ferrari acquired 50% of Maserati from Fiat, with an option to purchase the remaining 50% before the end of the year 2000. They took up this option in November 1999, and thus at that time Maserati became wholly owned by Ferrari.

As noted, in 1997 they purchased fifty per cent of the company from the parent Fiat group, concurrently taking full management control. Their first priority was to bring the production facility up to date, then instigate a five year investment plan, to increase production of a new model range with an emphasis on quality control and customer satisfaction, which had been lacking in the past, and which had tarnished the company’s reputation.

To achieve the first objective, they closed the factory for six months, stripped out the archaic machinery and installed a state of the art production line. This facility is the most modern of any small series car manufacturer in the world. It carries the bare painted bodyshell in a tiltable cradle suspended from a monorail, through different work stations where different elements are added, eventually emerging at the end of the loop as a complete fully functioning model, ready for its road test. Throughout the production process there is a high element of manual labour, as befits the handbuilt image of the Ferrari and Maserati marques. The management team and workforce were recruited anew upon the re-opening of the facility, and there is an air of commitment in their attitude in the workplace, with pride in the finished product. At the time of writing the investment continues, with a new staff car park and administration offices under construction, which should both be in use by the end of 2001.

Quattroporte
The Quattroporte model was substantially reworked, with over four hundred changes, to become the "Evoluzione" model, and a completely new model the 3200 GT was introduced in 1998. The latter is the company flagship, and the hub of production. It provides luxury 2+2 accommodation in an elegant coupe body, with a front mounted 3.2 litre twin turbo V8 engine driving through a six speed gearbox, with the option of automatic transmission, to provide a top speed of over 170 mph, along with tremendous acceleration. Allied to this are powerful disc brakes integrated with a sophisticated traction control system, which allow the power to be used with maximum security.

Assetto Corsa
During 2000 Maserati produced a total of 2027 cars, 1850 of which were the 3200 GT, and the balance Quattroporte Evoluzione models. The Quattroporte ceased production in March 2001 with the completion of a series of cars for Japan. A replacement is being developed, but will probably not go into production for another two years. The 3200 GT seems to established a niche in the market place, and is apparently selling better than its Jaguar counterpart in a number of European markets. At the 2001 Geneva Salon a limited edition ”Assetto Corsa” 3200 GT was announced. Among the special features are lowered suspension and stiffer springs to provide a firmer ride, fifteen spoke road wheels unique to this model with soft mix Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, plus red brake callipers with harder pads. The total production run for all markets is just 350 cars, and parts will not be available for standard production cars to upgrade them to ”Assetto Corsa” specification.

New Spyder
A new spyder model is in the final stages of development and testing, with its launch scheduled for the Frankfurt show in September 2001, this model will be produced with a keen eye on the American market, although the current 3200 GT coupe will not be sold there. This is due to the fact that it would necessitate considerable work to meet homologation requirements, which indicates that the Spider will not just be a coupe with the roof removed. The company has not been represented in the American market for some considerable time, thus re-establishing a presence there is one of their next objectives. The Spyder (model title yet to be announced) will go on sale in October 2001, with right hand drive examples available at the end of November. It will have its American launch at the Detroit show in January 2002, with sales starting shortly after through a network of thirty dealers, some of which will be existing Ferrari dealers, as in a number of other markets. Maserati is regarded as the growth potential element of the Ferrari group, as Ferrari are already producing cars at their own conceptual maximum output to preserve the exclusivity of the marque.

"Tridente"
The "Tridente" of Modena may not have the same mystique as the "Cavallino Rampante" of Maranello, but its sporting reputation is well established with a fine pedigree stretching back a long way. Now that it has the right product, sound investment, management and philosophy, it should regain its prestigious image and once again enjoy a healthy existence.


Keith Bluemel

Maserati 3200 GT
3200 GT Assetto Corsa in office reception
Leather and paint colour samples in office reception
V8 engine in Maserati reception area
Maserati 320S Study
Impressive new entrance structure
Maserati
3200GT on production line over a finished example, showing cradle on monorail
Almost complete 3200 GT on production line
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