Maserati starting to sell some cars
05-05-2008, 10:16 AM
#1
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Maserati starting to sell some cars
I was reading this article and it made me start to wonder:
With the cost of the M3/IS/RS4/C63 going for $60k to $100k (MB), do you think any of the lower-production, $80-110k car producers such as Maserati, Panoz, or even Jaguar will try to enter this market segment to score a piece of the pie?
I love Maserati's sound. I know it's a detuned Ferrari engine, but at the $100k price mark, I really can't see how that's a bad thing!
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?se...article_id=6752
With the cost of the M3/IS/RS4/C63 going for $60k to $100k (MB), do you think any of the lower-production, $80-110k car producers such as Maserati, Panoz, or even Jaguar will try to enter this market segment to score a piece of the pie?
I love Maserati's sound. I know it's a detuned Ferrari engine, but at the $100k price mark, I really can't see how that's a bad thing!
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?se...article_id=6752
Maserati has been through some tough times. But after years of loss, the Italian sports-car maker finally returned to profit in 2007. The comeback was possible because of new models like the Quattroporte Automatic and the brand-new GranTurismo luxury coupe. Demand for Maseratis has been growing, pushing production to an all-time high of about 9000 cars. Maserati CEO Roberto Ronchi talks of increasing output "to 20,000 cars after 2012."
Clearly a third model line is essential for this ambitious plan, and a sporty coupe (or spyder) for younger customers looks to be the likely choice. A Geneva study by IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) has been a good test of the public's reaction. Ronchi says the show car "has the right proportions, but still needs some detail work." It's a clear hint of a more dynamic Maser, competing not only with Aston's V8 Vantage, but also with Porsche's 911. The car should be on the road by 2011 or 2012.
Tech-wise, Maserati will benefit from R&D at Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Fiat. Additionally, there is still the Sigma platform developed in cooperation with GM. Denied in the past, it could still be used in the next Alfa Romeo 169 in 2009 (offering both rear- and all-wheel drive).
And there could be a fourth Maser model as well, possibly a sporty small sedan slotted below the Quattroporte to rival the BMW M3 and Lexus IS F. Ronchi wouldn't comment on this, but did talk about an ideal price range: "Future Maseratis are somewhere between 80,000 and 130,000 Euros."
Clearly a third model line is essential for this ambitious plan, and a sporty coupe (or spyder) for younger customers looks to be the likely choice. A Geneva study by IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) has been a good test of the public's reaction. Ronchi says the show car "has the right proportions, but still needs some detail work." It's a clear hint of a more dynamic Maser, competing not only with Aston's V8 Vantage, but also with Porsche's 911. The car should be on the road by 2011 or 2012.
Tech-wise, Maserati will benefit from R&D at Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Fiat. Additionally, there is still the Sigma platform developed in cooperation with GM. Denied in the past, it could still be used in the next Alfa Romeo 169 in 2009 (offering both rear- and all-wheel drive).
And there could be a fourth Maser model as well, possibly a sporty small sedan slotted below the Quattroporte to rival the BMW M3 and Lexus IS F. Ronchi wouldn't comment on this, but did talk about an ideal price range: "Future Maseratis are somewhere between 80,000 and 130,000 Euros."
05-05-2008, 10:55 AM
#5
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Originally Posted by Kremlin,May 5 2008, 12:48 PM
Uhh 130,000 Euros = $200,000 USD.
Sure, options could be different, but I think it proves the M3 isn't 55% more expensive here. The exchange rate doesn't dictate the US price. It affects it, but you can't compare face-to-face.
05-05-2008, 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by ace123,May 5 2008, 10:55 AM
But a starting price of 65000 Euro for a stripped M3--in Germany, where it's cheapest--is still only a base MSRP of $54k US...
Sure, options could be different, but I think it proves the M3 isn't 55% more expensive here. The exchange rate doesn't dictate the US price. It affects it, but you can't compare face-to-face.
Sure, options could be different, but I think it proves the M3 isn't 55% more expensive here. The exchange rate doesn't dictate the US price. It affects it, but you can't compare face-to-face.
