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Maserati RIP
By Yoann Besnard on 19 July 2005 | 
(1) Comments | Permalink
I’m still shocked. The next Maseratis will share their platform with the Alfa Romeos because it’s time for Fiat to make bigger profit with this brand. If the perfectly good Coupe and the charming Quattroporte can’t save this company, then rebadged Alfas certainly won’t. Maseratis will be cheaper? Then they’re not Maseratis. Maseratis should use transverse engines and four-wheel drive, because it provides the best technical solution? Sounds familiar. Ford did the same with Jaguar and we know what happened.
The new Premium platform is great news for Alfa, especially as it gives bigger engined models the option of four wheel-drive. However Maserati has a tradition of building GTs and moving the Italian Aston Martin down is about one of the worst ideas I have ever heard.
The truth is the Premium platform has been forced on Maserati by another company, which had, in turn, been forced to use it. Engineers of both companies want front longitudinal engines and rear-wheel drive, and so we want them. Why is this so difficult for management to grasp?
Fiat, if you continue to reduce your luxury names to brands and badges then you surely will reap your just rewards: zero sales. At least let Maserati die with dignity. Close the plant, save some money and put some decent investment into Lancia, which has nowhere to go but up.
Comments
Posted by: Jack Yan | Jul 27, 2005 2:32:52 PM
There's another down side to this sort of "platform culture": the parent company becomes complacent, not wishing to develop new platforms. Ford is heading that way: the new Mondeo (CD345) will be on a Volvo S60 platform. If you remember, the S60 platform is a cut-down S80 platform. Which makes it over 10 years old in engineering. Or the so-called new Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger: all on previous-generation Mercedes E-Klasse platforms. That's what Ssangyong of Korea used to do. Those who criticized MG Rover for its old 75 platform surely must realize there are far older ones out there.
