Maserati triples regional sales

Italian luxury car manufacturer Maserati’s global expansion strategy continues with it reporting sales in south-east Asia and Pacific (SEAP) have almost tripled in the first half of 2014 – achieving 214 per cent growth over last year’s result. The figures for the first six months of this year exceed overall sales in 2013. Globally, the marque aims to achieve annual sales of 50,000 units over the coming years, primarily through new products and entering new markets – as reported in the August 7 issue of Autofile magazine. Within the SEAP region, the trident brand reports its highest sales in South Korea. The market grew by more than 700 per cent on the previous year. Second highest – in terms of vehicles delivered to customers – are New Zealand and Australia with 114 per cent growth. Sales in all SEAP countries are growing in double and triple digits, apart from Singapore where they are still affected by a change in government regulation for taxation and financing. The most successful model of the first half was the new Ghibli, which was launched earlier in the year. The flagship Quattroporte grew by a further 256 per cent following its introduction in 2013. The GranTurismo and GranCabrio will experience a revival towards the end of the year with the arrival of the limited centennial edition. “The SEAP region and emerging markets allow us to grow while maintaining exclusivity,” says Umberto Cini, managing director of Maserati’d global overseas markets. “With the Quattroporte and Ghibli, we have a strong portfolio complementing the GranTurismo and GranCabrio. Over the coming years, we look forward to a new introduction in the SUV segment and the Alfieri, which was first presented at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.” Maserati is further developing its network infrastructure, including new service and showroom locations in South Korea and Australia among others.