Coupe prices - what's happening?
- Thread starter trevorrevver
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Phil H
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You may be right Ewan, but it doesn't have to be that way and imho it could still be saved. What's really frustrating is that so much potential has been wasted over the years by clueless bean counters who seemingly have no idea of brand promotion. I don't see the point of putting millions into halo cars when there's s0d all to be seen in showrooms (if you can find one), and a total lack of interest in aftermarket support. It's all well and good trying to emulate successful brands (Ferrari/Porsche/et al) but they understand their markets, their customers, and their dealers, while Stellantis seemingly couldn't care less.
Yesterday I was at a Hyundai dealership where the staff couldn't have been more helpful and offered an immediate test drive of a Santa Fe that had just arrived in the showroom, and yet in 18 years of Maserati ownership I've only once been invited to a Maserati model launch, and never to any kind of promotion. The situation has clearly worsened under Stellantis as dealers lost interest.
Maserati was never going to be in the Pagani league, or even able to compete with the halo cars from Maranello, but they do/did have the potential to embrace an enthusiastic UK market for decent sports/performance cars, and simply couldn't be @rsed. Having said that, maybe, just maybe, there is a ray of hope (Trump permitting of course):
Problem is, though, that 'customisation' needs customers to start with.......
Yesterday I was at a Hyundai dealership where the staff couldn't have been more helpful and offered an immediate test drive of a Santa Fe that had just arrived in the showroom, and yet in 18 years of Maserati ownership I've only once been invited to a Maserati model launch, and never to any kind of promotion. The situation has clearly worsened under Stellantis as dealers lost interest.
Maserati was never going to be in the Pagani league, or even able to compete with the halo cars from Maranello, but they do/did have the potential to embrace an enthusiastic UK market for decent sports/performance cars, and simply couldn't be @rsed. Having said that, maybe, just maybe, there is a ray of hope (Trump permitting of course):
Problem is, though, that 'customisation' needs customers to start with.......
RussBird82
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williamsmix
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After listening to Trump’s announcement this evening I’m wondering if 25% tarrifs will be enough, on top of everything else, to kill the brand off for a while(?). If that happens then we’ll pray for a resurrection but, if that were to happen in the form of Maseratis being built in the USA, would it still be a Maserati? … I don’t think so.
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zagatoes30
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Surely unless your building big numbers moving to USA build can't be cost effective? Americans will just need to pay more if they want a Ferrari or Lambo or any other low production European car. Those who can afford will pay just to show that can, can't see how this going to help US car manufacturing
DLax69
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We're fooked over here. Glad I don't need to buy parts from Europe or the UK. Ugh.
allandwf
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Best not go there! lol
williamsmix
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We’ll have to wait and see what Stellantis decide to do under their new CEO, but I thought I read something recently about them making a very heavy investment - several Bn$ - reopening a plant in Illinois; exactly the kind of success for the US economy that Trump was talking up last night. Maybe that indicates a shift in strategic focus that, alongside the tariffs, will put their European brands at further risk of restructuring or disposal(?).
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LDM 3200
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I think that is a real possibility although if the factory makes a decent effort to promote things like GT2 successes and supports the "dealers" things could be stabilised and turned round, part of the issue is that there is no dedicated presence in the UK and the reliance on multi brand dealers means that they can loose interest if other brands are easier to sell or support.
That said, I think that the few times I have dealt with the likes if HR Owen they have been very helpful, even on things that they have not really made money on.
Hopefully there is a plan and some focus and things will turn around, however Maserati will and should be a niche manufacturer that delivers and supports good cars at a price and sufficient numbers for all to be happy. They shouldn't try to be too mainstream and want to emulate BMW and they don't have the following of Derrari who could quite honestly put a badge on a cardboard box and sell it for a fortune.
Agree, except Ferrari doesn’t really make any cardboard box. The brand is leader in tech innovation and doesn’t rely on heritage. Their drive has pushed all other makers to be better at what they are doing in. Lamborghini invest in marketing and adverts. Ferrari doesn’t, they use that money in F1 and they transfer F1 solution to their production line. It’s difficult to attacking Ferrari, cause they are True to their mission.
LDM 3200
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The box comment was for effect but to be fair although I appreciate how Ferrari have developed I rarely find their cars attractive these days.
JonW
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I recognise I’m not objective when it comes to this topic, but hopefully this is a good sign…
DaveT
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I assume that's your car Dicky has for sale?
Looks lovely and shouldn't hang around too long I'm sure.
I withdrew mine from sale due to the crazy offers I was getting. Same time there were 10 Gransports for sale and as soon as I took mine off it fell to 3 then the 2 that are currently available. Decided to make mine mint and keep it. Full new set of tyres, minor paintwork, etc. maybe if they ever achieve classic status prices may rise
lozcb
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Got a feeling with age creeping up on me, and preference over the Bentley mine with just 19K miles could well be up for sale later this year , lets see what the kids say first , do they really want to take it on and all that goes with it , diminishing parts etc ...........IMHO Once again Maserati shot themselves in their last remaining foot several years ago
urquattrogus
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Maybe Magnus Walker will call it “the next big thing” or maybe pigs will fly and wouldn’t want his endorsement anyway!
The XJS was one of his “next big things” and I’m still waiting for that to come true whilst I plough money into my XJR-S project
PS someone I know in the surrounding area I think looked at your car Spartacus, viewed etc after seeing my near identical car.
What has he ended up buying?
A three year old Cayman GT4 for 70k and a New Hybrid M5 for daily duties.
He was scared of buying a maserati even at lower values….
I suggested that for the 70k for the GT4 he could buy a 599 GTB that’s what I’d buy, but then he is an accountant!!
The XJS was one of his “next big things” and I’m still waiting for that to come true whilst I plough money into my XJR-S project
PS someone I know in the surrounding area I think looked at your car Spartacus, viewed etc after seeing my near identical car.
What has he ended up buying?
A three year old Cayman GT4 for 70k and a New Hybrid M5 for daily duties.
He was scared of buying a maserati even at lower values….
I suggested that for the 70k for the GT4 he could buy a 599 GTB that’s what I’d buy, but then he is an accountant!!
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Guy
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IIRC it was the same last year. RG sold mine and another 2 or 3 and suddenly they were all gone!
mark.bellino.social@gmail
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Ferrari isn't immune to issues. There are several cars that are suffering some serious depreciation ... the 296 GTB is apparently a big problem for them. From what I understand, the issue is they have too many models now, the mark up is insane ... and perhaps affordability? The tariffs for sure are not going to help them.