FYI: Stellantis Reaffirms Commitment to Maserati Amid Sale Speculations
Prompted by recent speculation regarding Maserati’s potential sale, Stellantis issued an official statement on Tuesday to quash any rumors of divesting the luxury Italian brand.
### Stellantis Denies Maserati Sale Plans
“Stellantis has no intention of selling the Trident brand, nor is there any plan to integrate Maserati within other Italian luxury groups,” the automaker confirmed in a definitive statement.
### Origin of the Rumors
The source of the Maserati sale rumors stems from comments made by Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares and CFO Natalie Knight during a conference call post the company’s first-half financial results release on July 25th. The financial results recorded a significant 48% decline in net profits compared to the previous year.
Despite the reassuring 10-year commitment Tavares promised for each of Stellantis’ 14 brands in 2021, he mentioned during the call that non-profitable brands might be discontinued. Knight contributed to the speculation by stating the possibility of considering “what’s the best home” for Maserati in the future.
### Stellantis Reaffirms Support
On Wednesday, to counter the narratives formed from the July 25th call, Stellantis issued an additional statement reinforcing its unwavering dedication to Maserati’s future as a unique luxury brand within the Stellantis portfolio. “Stellantis restates its unwavering commitment to Maserati’s bright future as the unique luxury brand within the 14 Stellantis brands,” the statement read.
### Financial Struggles and Market Volatility
Emphasizing their commitment to all their brands, Stellantis acknowledged the impact of market volatility and temporary financial fluctuations but reasserted their 10-year horizon for building profitable, sustainable businesses across their portfolio. Individual brand performance data revealed Maserati’s deliveries were 6,500 units in the first half of 2024—down significantly from 15,300 units the previous year. Consequently, Maserati posted an €82 million ($89 million) operating loss during this period, contrasting sharply with the €121 million ($131 million) profit noted in the same period last year.
### New Models and Future Prospects
Despite the current financial setbacks, Maserati’s portfolio includes exciting new models like the Grecale compact crossover and the redesigned GranTurismo, which offer both gas and electric powertrains. Going forward, the automaker plans to transition to entirely electric models, starting with a redesigned Quattroporte, initially slated for this year but now expected potentially in 2025.
### Conclusion
The recent statements from Stellantis clear the air regarding Maserati’s future, steadfastly denying any intentions to sell the brand. Instead, they underline a long-term commitment to Maserati—evidenced through ongoing innovations and model developments aimed at ensuring the brand’s stability and growth.
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Steven Hale, Editor of Automotive.fyi
