Maserati Centenary Trip
- Thread starter conaero
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what is that?...A diesel 4200?
Rwc13
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Guys
At risk of being very unpopular, but to just offer a different perspective on this, I doubt this is Maserati being spiteful. I suspect this is mostly a matter of brand protection which global brands like Maserati are understandably paranoid about.
Maserati are using the centenary as a huge brand marketing exercise. They will have carefully organised all their official events at great cost to deliver their important brand messages in a consistent way. Is it really that surprising that they are not that keen on having a group of enthusiasts right on their doorstop conducting a parallel event with not entirely consistent brand messaging?
I am sure they will also be concerned about something going wrong, somebody getting hurt or worse, at the unofficial Maserati centenary celebration round the corner, and what damage that could do to their brand and world's view of their centenary celebrations. For their own event they will no doubt have had experts looking at all aspects of health and safety to minimise the risk.
It is one thing if the parallel celebration was happening 1000 miles away in the UK, where the risk of brand association is less, but right on their doorstep at the same time as their official event........... Is it any wonder that their PR and legal teams have got a little worked up sought to stop it no matter how well meant it is.
I do sympathise with you guys and genuinely wish I was there, but I can understand where Maserati might be coming from. It is perhaps a shame that there wasn't a conversation between Maserati and the Forum to avoid this situation and understandable bad feeling. In my view Maserati should have initiated this before taking any action.
I do hope that, despite this, you will all be able to enjoy your time in Modena as much as you have clearly enjoyed the journey getting there.
At risk of being very unpopular, but to just offer a different perspective on this, I doubt this is Maserati being spiteful. I suspect this is mostly a matter of brand protection which global brands like Maserati are understandably paranoid about.
Maserati are using the centenary as a huge brand marketing exercise. They will have carefully organised all their official events at great cost to deliver their important brand messages in a consistent way. Is it really that surprising that they are not that keen on having a group of enthusiasts right on their doorstop conducting a parallel event with not entirely consistent brand messaging?
I am sure they will also be concerned about something going wrong, somebody getting hurt or worse, at the unofficial Maserati centenary celebration round the corner, and what damage that could do to their brand and world's view of their centenary celebrations. For their own event they will no doubt have had experts looking at all aspects of health and safety to minimise the risk.
It is one thing if the parallel celebration was happening 1000 miles away in the UK, where the risk of brand association is less, but right on their doorstep at the same time as their official event........... Is it any wonder that their PR and legal teams have got a little worked up sought to stop it no matter how well meant it is.
I do sympathise with you guys and genuinely wish I was there, but I can understand where Maserati might be coming from. It is perhaps a shame that there wasn't a conversation between Maserati and the Forum to avoid this situation and understandable bad feeling. In my view Maserati should have initiated this before taking any action.
I do hope that, despite this, you will all be able to enjoy your time in Modena as much as you have clearly enjoyed the journey getting there.
safrane
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RWC
I appreciate your sentiments however; the 'Brand' has done everything it can to exclude the common man...where else are you charged to look at a Maserati car-park in a public square? Not just a few £, but for a family of four they wanted €280. That frankly was money grabbing elitism for their target market of China and the US. Cost of looking round the factory, which is free at normal times is corporate greed.
I went to the Aston events in London last year...all free.
That is why I pulled out of the century event some months back...and why my love of the brand is at a low pushing me to look at an alternative brand for my next sports car...is that what the 'Brand' wanted?
I hope the guys have now found a nice place to park up and share the passion with like minded fans...have a great trip.
I appreciate your sentiments however; the 'Brand' has done everything it can to exclude the common man...where else are you charged to look at a Maserati car-park in a public square? Not just a few £, but for a family of four they wanted €280. That frankly was money grabbing elitism for their target market of China and the US. Cost of looking round the factory, which is free at normal times is corporate greed.
I went to the Aston events in London last year...all free.
That is why I pulled out of the century event some months back...and why my love of the brand is at a low pushing me to look at an alternative brand for my next sports car...is that what the 'Brand' wanted?
I hope the guys have now found a nice place to park up and share the passion with like minded fans...have a great trip.
Chrisbassett
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Ok, I'm going to bite. One of the brand qualities that Maserati are promoting is passion. That is exactly what is being stamped on very very firmly by this action. The risk to their brand by a gathering in a different town at a time when none of their official events are happening is minimal compared to the potential bad will generated by what they have done. Very much a knee-jerk reaction. Someone with passion inside the masersti organisation needs to be made aware of this so they can live up to that brand value.
Chrisbassett
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Or put another way, **** the bloody bean counters and asshat risk management consultants!
CliveP1
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no doubt Fiat Chrysler are using it for a massive marketing tool to push the brand and wish to only have either the classic Maserati's or the new cars and the ones due to come out which is a shame because what I have read and seen the 3200 GT (1998) really put them back on the map after years in the mire then the 4200 (2002), GS (2004) and then the Quattroporte V (2004) then the GranTurismo (2007). shame on Maserati and the not so forward thinking PR department.
hopefully the guys and girls that have gone down there can enjoy the trip and find somewhere you can all get together, would have been great to go but just not possible. enjoy.
hopefully the guys and girls that have gone down there can enjoy the trip and find somewhere you can all get together, would have been great to go but just not possible. enjoy.
Chrisbassett
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Looks like the elite have arrived...and to think I was originally contemplating driving down a day earlier than the rest of you guys to see the convoy in...makes me feel a little sick inside.
Wonder how many actual paying guests they had driving with them.
https://twitter.com/maserati_hq/status/512530809799331840
Wonder how many actual paying guests they had driving with them.
https://twitter.com/maserati_hq/status/512530809799331840
Chrisbassett
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Just watched, and the number of cars seems to be shockingly low...was expecting 100 or so of them, but it looked like they had difficulty filling a few minutes of video. Maybe they actually are worried that the unofficial gathering will outshine them?
Chrisbassett
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From the ariel photos it looks like there are 69 cars in the square. Bet the collective forums could do better!
Chrisbassett
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Exactly Dem. one day when we've made our mint we would be queuing outside the dealer wanting an Alfieri Spyder.