Things I learnt on the Factory trip

Vince2

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Here are some facts stated by our guide on the recent Modena factory trip which may be of interest.
Feel free to add more...

The bodywork is painted by Ferrari.
A Ferrari quality inspector (Dressed in red) is always present at final inspection to sign it off.
They build 13 Maserati's a day
30% go to China, 30% to America and the rest to the rest of the world.
90% go to first time Maserati owners (Which I found hard to believe)
All parts in stock at Modena are owned by suppliers upto the point that they are taken to the assembly line
Before protective sheet is applied over finished car, logistics company inspect for scratches etc because after the sheet is applied they are responsible for any body imperfections.
They make visitors wear rubber shoes if they turn up with open sandals!!
 

conaero

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I thought it was an excellent tour and especially the R&D dept. My observations...a lot of ALFA Giulia QV being tested and one Merc.

They made us all feel very welcome and Zep made a very good contact which we will attempt to work with to closer tie the forum and the factory.
 

Vince2

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192
What were they actually making? Last time I was there it was just the Alfa 4c.

Think they said 19 cars a day. 13 Maserati and 6 Alpha's
A few Maserati Cabrio's going through. All made to order.
Also they were making pickups into fire trucks in a separate area! Read into that what you will!
 

Zep

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I found the whole thing really interesting.

The parked emissions testing bay was good, apparently there aren’t many in the industry and they had a Pagani in there the week before and a Portofino was in there when we were looking.
 

Zep

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The general idea is that the car is parked in a hermetically sealed room. They then reduce the pressure by pumping air out and then measure any emissions (like fuel vapour, oil vapour etc) to make sure that there isn’t likely to be a build up of odours or flammable gasses when parked.
 

tasnam

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Are they finished building the GT S coupe and now ONLY building the GranCabrio? I noticed on the official Maserati website if you try to configure a new GT S coupe the options are almost null....like they are using up parts then removing those options once depleted from inventory.
 

Zep

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They are building both GT S and Grancabs at the moment, there were plenty of each on the line. Each car is built to order so they aren’t using up parts or building for stock. Although some might be for dealer stock.
 

conaero

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Yep the Mas lines were very busy...churning them out.
The 4C cab line was more sedate though.

I fell for a Matt grey with carbon gloss bonnet GTS, stunning albeit probably not going to stay that way long. No pics, we weren’t aloud.
 
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They are building both GT S and Grancabs at the moment, there were plenty of each on the line. Each car is built to order so they aren’t using up parts or building for stock. Although some might be for dealer stock.
Were they building any Quattroporte's, GTS version perhaps?
 

conaero

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Were they building any Quattroporte's, GTS version perhaps?
No they are all done in another plant.

confirmed to us that there will be a new Ghib and Alfieri, hybrid and full electric next year with cab to follow but I guess you already knew that.

Zep and I got told off 3 times for pealing away from the pack and looking round corners and in cupboards :)

We were like a pair of Meerkats.
 

Andyk

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I went there about 5 years ago and a year before went to the Ferrari factory and the lasting impression was that Ferrari were holding Maserati back as it was like Ferrari had all the latest tech and Maserati were in the dark ages. Enjoyed the tour though but there were more 4C's there than Maseratis.
 

conaero

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The Alfieri (or whatever it will be called) will be made at Modena. I suspect this will align with the end of production of the 4C.
 

bigbob

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The Alfieri (or whatever it will be called) will be made at Modena. I suspect this will align with the end of production of the 4C.

Sounds like this is the car to buy. I think that the recent press reports said the GT/GC were coming later, were bigger and were to be built at one of the Turin plants. For me I want a Modena Maserati and the fact that the new car will only be two seats is fine - kids have grown up so original reason for moving to Maserati has now gone. Just hope they don't go AM silly on the pricing.
 

BJL

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At the F factory last week and heard the Alfieri is now being shelved or at least not being built in the form as shown 5 years ago. Maserati are at odds over whether to fully concentrate on the Granturismo replacement which they know will sell well and have little opposition in its luxury GT market segment. Obviously Ferrari V6 twin turbo with hybrid options later. With Ghibli sales very poor and QP sales even worse plus the Levante appeal is on the slide maybe they see the GT replacement as the only option. People I spoke with all agree the the Alfieri should have been launched in 2015 with the QP V8 tt motor and ZF box and Maserati would be basking in the glory now not arguing over what to do next.
 

conaero

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All I can say is this was announced to us by the guides on the factory tour. Would they do that and then do a U turn...its Maserati so anything is possible!
 

safrane

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How long are we away from Geneva now?

I'm surprised there have been no teasers, leaks, spy shots etc...