Maserati halting production in Turin for a week
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fcz360
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Like a weird breakdown or alarm going off for no reason, or one of 100 other odd things that happen to our cars for no reason, remember they are Italian!
Europe figures are up but global is down hence the issue. Its a sleeping issue at the moment for most manufacturers, good for VW to deflect the issues in a cloud of diesel smoke
Mind you if Maserati want the Ghibli to compete with the 5 series they are in deep dodo. As much as I want a Ghibli over a 535 or e350 the lease cost difference is almost 200 per month, they need to get a special done on business lease and they would shift a shed load. BMW have done that with 4 series and they are everywhere now.
Europe figures are up but global is down hence the issue. Its a sleeping issue at the moment for most manufacturers, good for VW to deflect the issues in a cloud of diesel smoke
Mind you if Maserati want the Ghibli to compete with the 5 series they are in deep dodo. As much as I want a Ghibli over a 535 or e350 the lease cost difference is almost 200 per month, they need to get a special done on business lease and they would shift a shed load. BMW have done that with 4 series and they are everywhere now.
P R
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It appears things have got a little bit worse...
(context, still will be a decent year!)
MILAN (Bloomberg) -- Maserati is deepening production cuts as a boom prompted by the more affordable Ghibli sedan fades. The brand's slowing sales volume raises questions about parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' ambitions to expand in the luxury-car segment.
Maserati will halt production for six weeks in the next two months, including four consecutive weeks from December 14, according to unions at luxury unit's main plant in Grugliasco in northern Italy.
About 2,000 workers at the site will be put on temporary furloughs for most of the days and will have a longer than usual Christmas break. The move follows a more limited cut in output in September.
Maserati declined to comment.
"It really is an indicator of the shallowness of that segment," said Bill Visnic, an independent automotive analyst based in Weirton, West Virginia. "Maserati has a name that's very niche, and it sells in a market segment that's not deep anyway. That gets you an initial boost, and then after that the cliff is really steep."
Maserati's stalled revival doesn't bode well for Fiat Chrysler's more aggressive plans for Alfa Romeo, which will roll out the Giulia sedan next year and follow with a SUV. Both Maserati and Alfa Romeo have a widespread fan base because of their histories but are niche players in the modern automotive market, lacking the infrastructure and marketing power of bigger rivals such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
With the longest production halt since the marque unveiled the Ghibli in 2013, Maserati's output is set to drop about 25 percent to about 26,000 vehicles this year, according to IHS Automotive.
The slowdown will make it harder for Maserati to reach its target of boosting sales to 50,000 cars next year and to 75,000 in 2018. Deliveries will probably still increase this year, however, as the carmaker sells vehicles from its growing inventory.
SUV push
Maserati's operating profit tumbled 87 percent to 12 million euros in the third quarter as deliveries dropped 22 percent. The decline stemmed from weakness in China and North America.
To revive growth, the brand plans to introduce the Levante SUV next year. It's also developing a two-seater sports car.
The success of Maserati, which rose to fame by setting speed records in the 1920s, is especially crucial to help offset the loss of Ferrari. The supercar maker's spinoff from Fiat will be completed in January as part of an effort to help finance a 48 billion euro ($52 billion) investment plan.
"We need to slow it down," Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne told analysts in an October 28 conference call, reaffirming Maserati's 2018 sales target. "We need to take a deep breath and just work our way through the issues and effectively get ready for the Levante launch."
(context, still will be a decent year!)
MILAN (Bloomberg) -- Maserati is deepening production cuts as a boom prompted by the more affordable Ghibli sedan fades. The brand's slowing sales volume raises questions about parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' ambitions to expand in the luxury-car segment.
Maserati will halt production for six weeks in the next two months, including four consecutive weeks from December 14, according to unions at luxury unit's main plant in Grugliasco in northern Italy.
About 2,000 workers at the site will be put on temporary furloughs for most of the days and will have a longer than usual Christmas break. The move follows a more limited cut in output in September.
Maserati declined to comment.
"It really is an indicator of the shallowness of that segment," said Bill Visnic, an independent automotive analyst based in Weirton, West Virginia. "Maserati has a name that's very niche, and it sells in a market segment that's not deep anyway. That gets you an initial boost, and then after that the cliff is really steep."
Maserati's stalled revival doesn't bode well for Fiat Chrysler's more aggressive plans for Alfa Romeo, which will roll out the Giulia sedan next year and follow with a SUV. Both Maserati and Alfa Romeo have a widespread fan base because of their histories but are niche players in the modern automotive market, lacking the infrastructure and marketing power of bigger rivals such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
With the longest production halt since the marque unveiled the Ghibli in 2013, Maserati's output is set to drop about 25 percent to about 26,000 vehicles this year, according to IHS Automotive.
The slowdown will make it harder for Maserati to reach its target of boosting sales to 50,000 cars next year and to 75,000 in 2018. Deliveries will probably still increase this year, however, as the carmaker sells vehicles from its growing inventory.
SUV push
Maserati's operating profit tumbled 87 percent to 12 million euros in the third quarter as deliveries dropped 22 percent. The decline stemmed from weakness in China and North America.
To revive growth, the brand plans to introduce the Levante SUV next year. It's also developing a two-seater sports car.
The success of Maserati, which rose to fame by setting speed records in the 1920s, is especially crucial to help offset the loss of Ferrari. The supercar maker's spinoff from Fiat will be completed in January as part of an effort to help finance a 48 billion euro ($52 billion) investment plan.
"We need to slow it down," Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne told analysts in an October 28 conference call, reaffirming Maserati's 2018 sales target. "We need to take a deep breath and just work our way through the issues and effectively get ready for the Levante launch."
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Hum, they are taking a huge risk with the marque if you ask me, but then if they stayed stagnant that would have been just as terminal. Its a tricky one but still feel they should sort out what sells best for them....4 seat, 2 door, 400hp GT cars...the GT has done really well for them as did the 4200, they desperately need to produce a 4200 replacement and if the Alfieri is a 2 seater, that won't cut it for all.
I see it:
2 seat 2 door V6 Turbo (Alfieri)
4 seat 2 door compact V6 Turbo coupe (GranSport)
4 seat 2 door GT V8 coupe (GT)
4 seat 4 door V6 Turbo compact (Ghibli)
5 seat, 4 door V8 SUV (Levante)
Drop the QP, these sales are going to be soaked up by the Ghibli and Levante
Interestingly, Alfa released the niche flagship sports cars first (4C and 8C) and Maserati are going the other way, releasing the high volume cars first....which one will be right, only time will tell, but so far, its clearly not working out for Maserati, hence the closures.
I see it:
2 seat 2 door V6 Turbo (Alfieri)
4 seat 2 door compact V6 Turbo coupe (GranSport)
4 seat 2 door GT V8 coupe (GT)
4 seat 4 door V6 Turbo compact (Ghibli)
5 seat, 4 door V8 SUV (Levante)
Drop the QP, these sales are going to be soaked up by the Ghibli and Levante
Interestingly, Alfa released the niche flagship sports cars first (4C and 8C) and Maserati are going the other way, releasing the high volume cars first....which one will be right, only time will tell, but so far, its clearly not working out for Maserati, hence the closures.
Good find. It's a combination of over ambitious plans and market falls in BRIC economies. They really need the Levante fast for it to add up. Whatever your view is of the latter it will help given them money for the cars we like.
As for the Ghibli they need to launch a model update now with more kit/power etc. AWD in RHD would be good too!
As for the Ghibli they need to launch a model update now with more kit/power etc. AWD in RHD would be good too!
I think we would be bored if it was not a rocky road for Maserati.................it has only every been such.
The QP sells ok in China as it really is just a Ghibli LWB. I doubt it costs a huge amount more to develop/build as it feels/looks the same from behind the while and most of what is underneath is the same.
Completely agree about needing to replace the 4200.
drewf
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I read that article last weekend, and decided not to depress everyone with it!! 
€12M operating profit in a quarter isn't enough to sustain the viability of that plant. Obviously, the next quarter (this one) will be considerably worse, since they've already had significant stoppage and are planning even more; I'd estimate it will be close to break-even. That's an appalling return on investment...
The recall of vehicles in China and USA won't help matters either. Not looking good, I'm afraid - I see the new Alfa pinching Ghibli sales, and now without the hint of Ferrari association, they've lost another piece of sales magic.
€12M operating profit in a quarter isn't enough to sustain the viability of that plant. Obviously, the next quarter (this one) will be considerably worse, since they've already had significant stoppage and are planning even more; I'd estimate it will be close to break-even. That's an appalling return on investment...
The recall of vehicles in China and USA won't help matters either. Not looking good, I'm afraid - I see the new Alfa pinching Ghibli sales, and now without the hint of Ferrari association, they've lost another piece of sales magic.
drewf
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Quote:
...the Ghibli is based heavily on the flagship Maserati Quattroporte, which is also brand-new. The two cars share brakes, steering, suspension and plenty of interior hardware. They also share the marque's new turbocharged V6 and associated drivetrain. All told, the automaker says the two have "45 to 50 percent" parts commonality. Technically speaking, the Ghibli is built on the new E-segment platform from Fiat that will be shared with an upcoming Alfa Romeo and the future Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. It will also serve as the bones for the next-gen Maserati GranTurismo.
I hadn't realised that the platform would be so widely used!
...the Ghibli is based heavily on the flagship Maserati Quattroporte, which is also brand-new. The two cars share brakes, steering, suspension and plenty of interior hardware. They also share the marque's new turbocharged V6 and associated drivetrain. All told, the automaker says the two have "45 to 50 percent" parts commonality. Technically speaking, the Ghibli is built on the new E-segment platform from Fiat that will be shared with an upcoming Alfa Romeo and the future Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. It will also serve as the bones for the next-gen Maserati GranTurismo.
I hadn't realised that the platform would be so widely used!
P R
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Don't worry about that, that is apparently now being delayed again anyway! FFS. On a bright note they cant make enough 500x / Renegades in Italy!
drewf
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...new Giulia's European launch been delayed six months, to mid 2016...
...Marchionne set an overly-lofty target plan for 400,000 units per year
This Marchionne fellow - has anyone tested him on ar$e and elbow recognition? Seems to be as clueless as Dido Harding about where the business is going.
...Marchionne set an overly-lofty target plan for 400,000 units per year
This Marchionne fellow - has anyone tested him on ar$e and elbow recognition? Seems to be as clueless as Dido Harding about where the business is going.
drewf
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In many respects, Maserati was a similar company to Aston Martin, producing reasonably similar products. That's changed.
AM haven't diluted their brand; Maserati have. Shame they couldn't build on the image of executive GT cars - launching the Alfieri shortly after it was shown for the first time would have changed their fortunes significantly. Now all we read about are delays, and falling sales in a market that's dominated by other manufacturers.
AM haven't diluted their brand; Maserati have. Shame they couldn't build on the image of executive GT cars - launching the Alfieri shortly after it was shown for the first time would have changed their fortunes significantly. Now all we read about are delays, and falling sales in a market that's dominated by other manufacturers.
Mind we are very small in Maserati's plans. Now if the Ghibli was AWD and a wagon I'd be a lot keener.
drewf
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Yes, that's true, but they'd originally planned for 50,000 this year, and now the hope is for 50,000 next year including the Levante and large discounts on Ghibli and QP. Big move in posture.
The Cygnet was an oddity for sure, but did AM sell it cheap? Not at all... It was ridiculously expensive.