Maserati’s sales have been slumping and it’s now facing huge tariffs in its biggest market, but the Italian marque’s boss says it’ll remain a part of the Stellantis conglomerate despite reports that it’ll be sold.
Last week, Stellantis – the parent of Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Ram, Jeep and Dodge, among other brands – reportedly hired consultancy firm McKinsey & Co to provide advice on the impact US President Donald Trump’s tariffs will have on its Italian brands.
The tariffs of up to 25 per cent for new European vehicles imported to the US compound a difficult time for Maserati, which last year sold approximately 11,300 vehicles globally, a massive 57.5 per cent drop on its 2023 tally.
In the US, Maserati sold about 4800 cars, down 37 per cent compared to the year prior. Despite this, it remained the brand’s largest market.
This makes it Stellantis’ worst-performing brand, which led to sources last week telling Automotive News that the conglomerate is considering the sale of Maserati – and Alfa Romeo – due to its sales slump.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
However, Reuters reports that Maserati and Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili recently sent a letter to Italian labour union Uilm, in which he denied reports of Stellantis offloading the brands.
“Stellantis confirms its commitment towards Italy, its workers and all its brands, including Maserati,” Mr Ficili reportedly said.
“Tariffs and unstable international markets add new uncertainties to the automotive industry’s already difficult transition toward electrification and new technologies.”
While it’s not yet clear where the ownership of Maserati and/or Alfa Romeo could end up, inside sources reportedly told Automotive News that Stellantis chairman John Elkann isn’t interested in them going to China.
Maserati posted an adjusted operating loss of €260 million (A$470 million) last year – well down on an €141 million (A$401 million) adjusted operating profit in 2023.
And last month reports emerged that Maserati had cancelled the MC20 Folgore – the electric version of the brand’s twin-turbo V6 sports car – after originally locking in a 2025 debut.
“The project was stopped due to the current forecast for insufficient demand in the super sports car market for a battery electric vehicle,” the carmaker said in a statement.
MORE: Jeep, Peugeot parent changing CEOs, will decide which of its 14 brands will survive
MORE: Maserati scraps EV supercar plans due to lack of demand
