by Michael Gauthier
- Stellantis is in talks with two companies about a Maserati partnership.
- Automaker will soon choose the best candidate to tie-up with.
- Previous reports have suggested two Chinese firms were in the running.
Stellantis announced a slew of new models at their Investor Day event in May. However, Maserati didn’t get much attention.
While that’s disappointing, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said the Italian firm “plays a very special role within Stellantis as a pure luxury brand with a special customer and a unique legacy.” He added the company already has a “powerful lineup,” but will expand to include two new e-segment vehicles.
More: Maserati’s Sales Collapsed And Alfa’s Lineup Aged, Now Both Get New Models
The executive went on to say Maserati is so special that it “deserves a dedicated conversation” and this will take place in December. That’s several months away, but the company teased the upcoming models under a cloth.
One of them is a large crossover and this implies a Levante successor. The other is more mysterious, but it appears to be a sleek sports car or grand tourer. However, it’s possible the company could be hinting at a four-door coupe.
Both models are set to arrive by 2030 and they’ll be joined by facelifted versions of the GranTurismo, GranCabrio, and Grecale. All three were teased in May and will be introduced shortly.
Partnership Talks
Fast forward to today and Filosa revealed a few more details about the brand’s future. According to Reuters, the executive told the Italian parliament they’re in talks with two potential partners for Maserati and will soon decide which one to pick.
In a separate report, the publication quoted the CEO as saying the unnamed partners “can bring us technology, development, and excellent ideas.” Filosa went on to say Maserati isn’t for sale and suggest the partnership will boost production at the Cassino and Modena plants.
Details are limited, but earlier reports out of China indicated the automaker was talking to Huawei and JAC about new-energy vehicles. Among the rumored discussions was a plan that would see a vehicle sold under the Maextro brand in China as well as the Maserati brand globally.
At the time, the automaker told us “Stellantis holds discussions with a range of industry players around the world on various topics, always with the ultimate aim of providing customers with the best mobility choices. The company does not comment on speculation.”