Ok, a lot of ranting and finger pointing to Modena.
I think we all know that Maserati could not survive on the course they were on during the 90's and 00's, so something had to change.
They looked at Porsche and with volume clearly being the chosen path have embarked on the current course.
I agree, the current offering are not bad cars, quite the opposite, I rather like them.....but I don't lust after them, which what Barry said, is the lure for most on here.
To be that oddball person who does not follow the crowd and choose style over function.
So Maserati have gone about their 'Porsche' plan and have come in for rather a lot of stick for it.
I feel if they had done things different, the collective on here would have not been on their backs and they would be happy to see Maserati to chase volume...to survive.
The banana skin I feel was the Alfieri.
If they had put it into production, it would have sold like hot cakes, but they didn't.....they showed it to us, then buried it.
I can only deduct that this was due to one of two things....or a little of both:
1. No money
2. No production capability
Clearly at the time, FGA decided to plow the money into Alfa and the results at first looked promising but again, as with Maserati, they moved in the direction that their dedicated following would not like. OK, you have to accept the capabilities of the QV, its a Wonderfull Halo car and shows what the Italians can do when they put there mind to it but the same cannot be said for the for the rest of the range where they would then make their money. They clearly are not selling, you never see one on the road and I mean down here on the South Coast, never which must be killing Alfa especially with all the debt they must have loaded on them.
I had the misfortune to instantly dislike the Guilia, mainly the front end. It screamed "Thats not an Alfa". Over time my harsh opinion dulled so needing a new lease car I went and had a look and a go in a new Speciale. Sitting in it just left me numb. Zero Alfa feel and terrible build quality. In Alfas of old you could forgive the build quality and you did not think with your head, you went with your heart and this is clearly missing in the Alfa and our beloved marque.
The Stelvio will sell, I feel thats a given and maybe Alfa's only saving grace but I see dark times ahead for both brands as clearly, FGA cannot continue to throw money at 2 struggling marques.