Maserati ready to present new business plan very soon, brand boss says
MODENA, Italy, June 5 (Reuters) - Maserati plans to present a new business plan shortly, soon after parent company Stellantis' new CEO Antonio Filosa officially starts in his job later this month, the head of the struggling luxury carmaker said on Thursday.
The loss-making Italian brand, the only one in the luxury segment for the world's fourth largest automaker, has no new model launches scheduled at the moment, with Stellantis reviewing Maserati's strategies after a previous business plan was put on hold last year.
Maserati CEO Santo Ficili said the plan was being finalised and would not just include new products but also redesign relations with dealers and the assistance network.
"We have clear ideas about what we want to do, we hope we can be ready very soon," Ficili said at the Motor Valley Fest in the Italian city of Modena, where Maserati is headquartered.
"Let's wait for Antonio to take up his job," he added.
Stellantis last week named its North American chief Filosa, an Italian national, as its new CEO. His appointment will be effective from June 23.
"Antonio loves the (Maserati) brand, I am sure we'll do great things," Ficili said, adding Maserati will continue to design, engineer and manufacture all its models in Italy.
Asked about market speculation that Stellantis could assess a sale of Maserati amid poor results and falling sales, Ficili reiterated the group had no plans at all to divest from it.
Ficili, who is also the head of Stellantis premium brand Alfa Romeo, said a review of the Alfa plan was imminent too.
The group has hired consultant McKinsey to advise on strategies for Maserati and Alfa Romeo as they face a hit from U.S. tariffs.
Maserati makes around 30% of its sales in the U.S., while Alfa Romeo generates some 15%.
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