Autocar article about Maserati

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bigbob

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Yep, saw it too. On the one hand good news that they have realised that they had taken the brand too down market. Bad news that prices will clearly rise as the brand re-positions itself as a sort of Porsche/Aston Martin hybrid competitor.
 
whereskeith

whereskeith

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All this chopping and changing is exactly what keeps ruining the brand... you can’t be a premium car maker then a higher volume cheaper brand and then a premium brand again... this is what ruined Maserati in the 70s and 80s...
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

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bigbob said:
Mind have you seen AR sales in the UK last year? Truely shockingly bad.
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Yes I know it has been a significant flop to say the least.

Sales in mainland Europe have been strong and I believe that from doing my mega road trip to Amalfi and back (the long way).... I saw a lot of the stelvio and gullia in france and italy... Some in Switzerland austria and Germany. In 3500 miles I only saw 3 maserati - one of those was down the road from the dealership in Como!

I think the problem for AR in the UK market is a poor reputation amongst the public from decades ago that they have not managed to shake off. Their new cars are probably as well built as an Audi or JLR product
 
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TimR

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Doesn’t feel that dynamic a development . There’s no doubt the brand has been left to go awol with a lack of definition but turning the clock back by bringing in the guy that retired doesn’t scream “ going forward” to me...?
 
sionie1

sionie1

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Acknowledging the pairing with AR was wrong is a good start though. How many conversations on here have there been about that very subject. It’s a good point about Alfa’s reputation here in the uk, I was laughed at when I bought my 156, but never had any issues at all, it was a great car. More so than a friends vw at the time.
 
Hurricane52

Hurricane52

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Anyone think a motorsport connection might help? I noticed my old squeeze Venturi competing in Formula Ecstasy the other day and thought that’s cool... I also love the fact my Ghibli has the same basic engine as an unattainable 300S...
 
allandwf

allandwf

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Hurricane52 said:
Anyone think a motorsport connection might help? I noticed my old squeeze Venturi competing in Formula Ecstasy the other day and thought that’s cool... I also love the fact my Ghibli has the same basic engine as an unattainable 300S...
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That would depend if their target buyer is attracted by such things. I can only go by the youngsters I work with who aspire to own white Audis and various other German Marques. They don't see Maseratis sporting past as they are a generation out. They see them as slightly more exclusive than their trusted German marques. I try and educate them, I get lots of "oh I didn't know that" etc. I do think Maserati need to push their heritage more, and dare I say have a halo car, even though not many could own one they could all say their Maserati shares at least some parts with it.
 
P R

P R

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Take any segment you are in, benchmark the competition and then make a better car. Exactly what Sergio demanded of the Giulia Quad, and look at how that turned out. Best in class by some margin.

If you replicate that with a badge as good as Maserati is, you won't do too badly.
 
highlander

highlander

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whereskeith said:
All this chopping and changing is exactly what keeps ruining the brand... you can’t be a premium car maker then a higher volume cheaper brand and then a premium brand again... this is what ruined Maserati in the 70s and 80s...
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This.
Chopping and changing only confuses a brand in the public eye. Moving back up from mass produced to premium and importantly being recognised as premium will take time, so the question is, will they stick with the plan this time?
 
B

bigbob

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highlander said:
This.
Chopping and changing only confuses a brand in the public eye. Moving back up from mass produced to premium and importantly being recognised as premium will take time, so the question is, will they stick with the plan this time?
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They are Italian, they will stick to the plan for as long as they think they might think of sticking to the plan...maybe.
 
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