safrane
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The end is nigh!!!!
- Thread starter safrane
- Start date
Easyplan66
New Member
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image opening up your bonnet and seeing crysler on the rocker cover....!!!!
GransportFan1
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i hope this does not happen, just so wrong.
Parisien
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None of this "cross-fertiliaztion" is new.....nor new owners, nor part owners of Maserati, nor indeed being propped up by Mussolini in the 30s....collaborations and sharing of parts/bits/engines.........
Its just that all these happened when production numbers were only in their 1000s.....now unfortunately soon to be in the 10000s......thats when it begins to hurt to those who cherish the very rarity, heritage and exclusivity we all like.
P
Its just that all these happened when production numbers were only in their 1000s.....now unfortunately soon to be in the 10000s......thats when it begins to hurt to those who cherish the very rarity, heritage and exclusivity we all like.
P
Emtee
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From a manufacturing perspective I guess there must be synergies and economies, particularly in the US market and China, but from a marketing perspective, this is fundamentally flawed and I can't believe Fiat can't see this?
Cars and marketing, well I'm not sure you can get a more interdependent relationship, but now with the internet and non-regulated virals, well there could be a blood bath (to which we're already contributing).
Maserati currently has no mainstream marketing presence to speak of and certainly hasn't established a USP on which it can trade, especially compared to the likes of the Germans, who are masters of it (and have been for years). If Fiat stick a Chrysler lump in what they expect to market as a luxury motorcar in competition to BMW, Mercedes (already had their fingers burnt from the same candle) and Audi, well those three will eat Maserati for breakfast. Then Porsche will join the bun fight and start throwing Ferrari into the mix. I wouldn't be surprised if their marketing companies are already rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect.
FUNDAMENTAL C0CK-UP WARNING - FIAT... YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Cars and marketing, well I'm not sure you can get a more interdependent relationship, but now with the internet and non-regulated virals, well there could be a blood bath (to which we're already contributing).
Maserati currently has no mainstream marketing presence to speak of and certainly hasn't established a USP on which it can trade, especially compared to the likes of the Germans, who are masters of it (and have been for years). If Fiat stick a Chrysler lump in what they expect to market as a luxury motorcar in competition to BMW, Mercedes (already had their fingers burnt from the same candle) and Audi, well those three will eat Maserati for breakfast. Then Porsche will join the bun fight and start throwing Ferrari into the mix. I wouldn't be surprised if their marketing companies are already rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect.
FUNDAMENTAL C0CK-UP WARNING - FIAT... YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Parisien
Moderator
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The Italians are very protective of their automotive crown jewels........it would be a horror if FIAT et al end up as just another branch of the greater German automotive empire ( or other empire)...what would be the point, sure they might still be based in Italian, mostly made by Italians......but you couldn't help thinking their way of doing things wouldn't be dampened down.......smothered....less flamboyant...less understanding of what it is to be an Italian motor manufacturer, designer, engineer and ways of marketing the same.
A true and real loss to the world.
P
A true and real loss to the world.
P
conaero
Forum Owner
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Well, as I see it, this new entry level (ie CHEAP) Maserati is being based on the New Chrysler 300C. Now its not a bad car, and it will certainly have the Italian touch added to it. If they stick to this, then I dont see it being much of a problem, except, they are cheapening the brand. We have seen with the advent of the GT that these cars are attracting a different market, ie the German one. This makes more money but leaves the passionate ones feeling deflated.
If they just go with the entry level Maser, I think they will just get away with it, but if they apply this to the sports coupes and luxury segments (GT and QP) then this spells disaster.
Let us just remember what happened to Alfa. It was ticking along then some fool ditched probably one of the greatest engines ever, the V6 Arese and stuck in the Yank V6, and geared for mass market and not the enthusiast, and the result, the Brera and 159 and we all know that this was a missed opportunity.
The Maserati brand needs to have the Ferrari engine, even in a de tuned state, otherwise the perception will be of a glorified Alfa.
This is how it should go:
Fiat 4 Cylinder, Alfa V6, Maserati V8, Ferrari V8 & V12
What is happening, is they are being shifted along:
Fiat 4 Cylinder, Alfa 4 Cylinder turbo, Maserati V6, Ferrari V8
Is this what the people want or the accountants?
If they just go with the entry level Maser, I think they will just get away with it, but if they apply this to the sports coupes and luxury segments (GT and QP) then this spells disaster.
Let us just remember what happened to Alfa. It was ticking along then some fool ditched probably one of the greatest engines ever, the V6 Arese and stuck in the Yank V6, and geared for mass market and not the enthusiast, and the result, the Brera and 159 and we all know that this was a missed opportunity.
The Maserati brand needs to have the Ferrari engine, even in a de tuned state, otherwise the perception will be of a glorified Alfa.
This is how it should go:
Fiat 4 Cylinder, Alfa V6, Maserati V8, Ferrari V8 & V12
What is happening, is they are being shifted along:
Fiat 4 Cylinder, Alfa 4 Cylinder turbo, Maserati V6, Ferrari V8
Is this what the people want or the accountants?
RonnieMack
New Member
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It's not about us being resistant to change, it's just that we're all old enough and cynical enough to have seen similar attempts before. Many people will be watching this very carefully, myself included.
OzzieAl
Moderator
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I hope it doesn't happen, but there are 2 ways of looking at it,
one is to say it dilutes/lessens the marque, and this may be true...
the other is to say that it makes the older 'original' version more desirable
Enzo,
The only positive I see is what you refer to to. I hope it does not happen because the maserati name has more heritage than just about anything, including Ferrari. But these days Accountants call the shots and the managers only care about dollars. So if sales go up,margins up..they don't care so long as some idiot buys them. As far as they are concerned use them as milk floats,, and wait for your bonus check... The world is made of quick buck artists today happy to destroy everything around them for another dollar in the pocket. Nobody cars about anybody else... which i seem to find my life fighting against.. to old school I know..
To end on a happy note,
It might turn ours into instant classics !!! rock solid resales,,,of something you can't buy any more...
RonnieMack
New Member
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Always considered the 300c a total chav wagon, especially the one with the "Bentley" front grille.
SimonM
Junior Member
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- 535
oh dear - I recall Jaguar did a similar thing when they "stepped down" with the X type and used the Ford lump - Clearly, a jag competing with 3 series and A4s is a different price bracket (as with the Alpha), but that's the point... does anyone know of a Fezza, Lambo, Aston, etc that uses a "cheap" 3rd party engine... I can't think of one (?).... .one of the best things about Maserati is that I always felt they didn't really play by the same "rules" or "copy" the other marques - even sometimes when it was to their detriment... so why start copying the mass market manufacturers now? personally, i reckon they should add a proper 2 seater lightish sports car with the V8 (8C with a bigger ar5e and a longer wheelbase would be perfect!) and price it below the F430 and Gallardo - I reckon it would clean up...