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Maserati grows 252% in SEAP region ahead of Levante SUV arrival
Italian luxury car manufacturer Maserati has announced a 252 percent increase in 2014 sales in the South-East Asia and Pacific region (SEAP) compared to the same period in the previous year.
The growth was driven by the launch of the new Ghibli, Maserati’s first four-door sports executive sedan, and the brand’s flagship model, the Quattroporte. The Ghibli accounted for just over 60 percent of retail sales in the region.
The GranCabrio and GranTurismo sports car models also continued to sell well, pushed by the introduction of the 100 years of Maserati Centennial Edition.
Maserati’s four-wheel drive system, Q4, was introduced on the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedan models in selected markets and gained particular popularity in the South Korean market. The launch leads up to the global market entry of the highly anticipated Maserati Levante, the Italian marque’s first luxury sports SUV, in 2016.
The strongest performing markets in the region in terms of sales increase were South Korea, taking 36 percent of Maserati’s sales in the region with an increase of 469 per cent, followed New Zealand with a 400% increase in sales and by Australia, where sales rose by 199%. All other markets of the SEAP region also registered strong growth rates, in double and even triple digits.
Maserati’s sales and service infrastructure was further developed through the launch of a new importer in Indonesia, the opening of a combined sales and service facility in Melbourne (Australia) and new service facilities in Busan and Bundang (South Korea). New showrooms for Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney were completed at the end of 2014.
On a global level, Maserati sold approximately 36,500 cars worldwide in 2014, an increase of 136% compared to 2013 and almost six times the sales figure for 2012.
“With the new Quattroporte and Ghibli, we were able to grow significantly compared to only a few years ago where we sold just over 6,000 vehicles per year worldwide. The most important launch for the SEAP region in 2015 will be a further addition to the Quattroporte range, the new Quattroporte with 330 hp. With the Levante, our first ever luxury sports SUV, arriving in the course of next year, we are committed to our target of selling 75,000 cars per annum by 2018. However, in a global car market of around 70 million vehicles sold per year, Maserati will, without question, remain very exclusive indeed.” explains Maserati Global Overseas Markets Managing Director, Umberto Cini.
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About Maserati SpA
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer which was established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna (Italy) by its founder Alfieri Maserati and his brothers. Their passion and talent contributed to the company DNA: innovation, excellence, and challenge, which are reflected in the brand’s claim “The absolute opposite of ordinary”. Today, the company's headquarters and main production location are in Modena (Italy). A second state-of-the-art production location, based on the highest quality standards of the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) concept, was inaugurated in Grugliasco, near Turin (Italy), in 2013. Maserati has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993.
Its emblem, the trident, was inspired by the fountain on the Piazza del Nettuno in the center of Bologna (Italy). It is a symbol that ties together the brothers, their hometown, and the artistry and craftsmanship for which Bologna and Emilia-Romagna are known.
Through major investments into product development, production facilities as well as its worldwide dealer network, Maserati has hit a turning point. In addition to the successful GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges, the latest generation of Maserati’s flagship sedan, the Quattroporte, and the new sports executive sedan, the Ghibli, provide the cornerstones to the brand’s strategy of producing some 75,000 units annually and gaining a significantly strengthened presence in the global luxury car market.
Sales figures for 2014 show that worldwide Maserati sold approximately 36,500 cars worldwide, an increase of 136% compared to 2013 and almost 6 times the sales figure for 2012.23,500 Ghiblis were delivered to the network, while the figure for the Quattroporte was 9,500 units. The total was completed by 3,500 units of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models.
The American market, with 14,690 units and growth of 110% compared to 2013, confirmed its status as Maserati’s biggest market in 2014, with sales boosted by the Ghibli and Quattroporte versions equipped with the 410 HP Twin Turbo engine and Q4 all-wheel drive.The second largest market in terms of volume was China, with 9,400 units and growth of 148% compared to 2013; the best-selling Quattroporte and Ghibli versions were those with 330 HP Twin Turbo engine and rear-wheel drive.
In spite of the widespread economic instability, Europe also recorded a large rise of 153% compared to 2013, with no fewer than 6,360 units sold. The market leading Quattroporte and Ghibli versions were the rear wheel drive versions with the 275 HP V6 Turbo Diesel engine. Performance in the Asia-Pacific area (excluding China) was excellent, with 4,000 units, representing a 206% increase over 2013, including a 199.3% increase in the Australian market.The results achieved in the Middle East were also very impressive, with 2,050 units sold and a growth of 144% compared to 2013.
About European Automotive Imports
European Automotive Imports (EAI), trading as Maserati Australia and New Zealand, was appointed as the distributor of Maserati, its products and services in Australia and New Zealand in 2005, starting operations on 1 October that year, initially from offices in the Sydney suburb of Homebush before moving, in 2010 to its present offices in Waterloo. The company also took over the New South Wales retail Maserati representation from 1 October 2005, initially as Italia Motori until the completion of the new facility in Waterloo as both home to EAI and the new dealership, Ferrari Maserati Sydney, which opened its doors in 2010. From 2013 EAI has also controlled the Maserati retail outlet ‘Maserati Auckland’ in New Zealand. In addition to offices for EAI Maserati dedicated showroom and workshop facilities, the Waterloo facility also provides a state of the art training facility for both technical and sales training. EAI has a fully computerised parts facility in Sydney to ensure fast and efficient distribution of parts and accessories.
EAI is a private company wholly owned by its Executive Chairman, Neville Crichton, and it is not a subsidiary of any of Mr Crichton’s other companies. Maserati Australia and New Zealand is headed by Glen Sealey, who took over as General Manager in 2010, and who has overseen a doubling of team responsible for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. These include Bilgen Tug, National Marketing and Public Relations Manager; David Weihen, National Aftersales Manager; Alex Ball, National Sales Manager and Angelo Ruberto, General Manager of Ferrari Maserati Sydney.
Following its appointment, EAI set about a major renewal of its dealer group, with all-new dealerships opening in Brisbane (2006), Melbourne (2008), Perth (2008), Sydney (2010), Adelaide (2013) and Auckland (2013) with major refurbishments in Sydney, Adelaide and Auckland prior to new facilities opening. In addition, Christchurch opened initially as a Maserati service centre bringing the marque officially to the South Island of New Zealand in 2008 and this was expanded to a full dealership in 2013. In 2014 new additional dealerships opened in Sydney and Melbourne with another dealership set to open 2015 to serve the Queensland market
EAI has consistently grown Maserati sales in Australia and New Zealand with its annual best in 2014 when total sales for the year were greater than the three previous years combined. In Australia sales rose 199.3 per cent to 401 vehicles for the year. In New Zealand sales climbed 400 per cent over the previous year with 70 new Maseratis delivered.
For further information, please contact
Glen Sealey
/ Tel: +61 2 8577 8070General Manager / Fax: +61 2 8577 8079
Maserati Australia and New Zealand / E:
Release Number: Maserati_518
Date of release: 10/24/2018 4:23:50 PM