Maserati SUV concept coming to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show
By Andrew, 25 Jul, 2011. 0 Comments
Maserati Front Grille
Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed his plans for the company’s Maserati luxury sports vehicle unit to increase annual sales nearly ten times from 5,675 units last year to 50,000 units. Three new models are the core to this midterm goal. They are all based on systems and components from Chrysler Group. Maserati will launch two new sedans to replace its Quattroporte flagship model using technology from Chrysler's large sedans like the Dodge Avenger and the Chrysler 300.
The third new Maserati will be the first SUV of the company. Chrysler will manufacture it alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the Jefferson North facility in Detroit. Officials at Maserati state that the new models will not be rebadged Chryslers, as they will have different interiors and bodies, as well as new rear and front suspensions and dedicated powertrains. Customers won’t see the components sharing, the same as in the Bentley Continental, which is a rebodied Volkswagen Phaeton.
The two new sedans from Maserati will be manufactured at the Officine Automobilistiche Grugliasco (OAG), which is the new name Fiat gave to the former Carrozzeria Bertone factory it bought in 2009. Maserati will invest 550 million euros ($774 million) to be used to refurbish the factory and launch the models. The sedans will solve the size problem that the current Quattroporte is facing. The vehicle is too big to be a compelling driver's car, but too small to serve as a good chauffeur's car.
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