Montezemolo Talks About Maserati

A short interview by Richard Feast/globalautonet.com
June 2001 Automobile Magazine

The chairman of Ferrari and Maserati talks about the future of the Maserati brand in America.

How is Maserati doing these days?
In 2000, we sold more than 2000 cars. In 1997 (the year Ferrari took over Maserati), we sold 600 cars, to give you an idea of growth. This year, we will sell more than 2000, but we have just one model because we will not introduce the Spyder until October.

So the important year will be 2002?
Correct. In 2002, we will do around 3000 cars because we will have the new Spyder. Then we will start our new adventure -- after many years -- in the United States.

How long has it been since Maserati was sold in the United States?
More than ten years. We have already prepared our dealer network. So, 2002 will be extremely important for us. Then, two years from now, in 2003, we will introduce the four-door Maserati designed by Pininfarina. Giugiaro will do the sports cars for Maserati, Pininfarina the four-doors.

Can you give a vision of Maserati for the future? Not for tomorrow, but in ten years?
I think that Maserati has a very important role in the market. Italian car, very creative, very classic, with a very important history in competition -- and on the roads. With very well designed cars in the future by the two best Italian designers. And we will be back in competition.

At what level?
We will see. GT, endurance, it will depend on the future rules. Not in Formula 1. Ferrari is enough for us in Formula 1.

Why is it taking so long to get the Spider to market?
We bought Maserati in 1997. First of all, we had to rebuild the factory. We launched the coupe in 1998. Two years after, we will launch the Spider. We have completely reorganized our dealer network. We started from zero. We don't sell candy. We sell cars. Can you imagine? Aftermarket, spare parts, the factory. We have done a fantastic job, because in three years we have again become established on the market. We have sold more Maseratis than a company like Jaguar in Germany, in Switzerland, in Italy, for example. We are totally in line with our difficult targets.