Maserati facts for kids
Headquarters in Modena, Italy
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| Subsidiary (S.p.A.) | |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Officine Alfieri Maserati S.p.A. |
| Founded | December 1, 1914 Bologna, Italy |
| Founder | Alfieri Maserati |
| Headquarters |
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Italy
44°38′57″N 10°56′27″E / 44.6493°N 10.9408°E |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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Davide Grasso (CEO) |
| Products | Luxury vehicles |
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Production output
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| Revenue | |
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Number of employees
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1,100 (2013) |
| Parent | Stellantis |
Maserati S.p.A. (pronounced mah-zeh-RAH-tee) is an Italian company that makes fancy, high-performance cars. It was started on December 1, 1914, in Bologna, Italy. Today, its main office is in Modena. Maserati's famous symbol is a trident, which looks like a three-pronged spear.
Since 2021, Maserati has been owned by a big company called Stellantis. Maserati used to be connected with another famous car brand, Ferrari. In May 2014, Maserati had a record-breaking month, selling over 3,000 cars. This led them to make more of their popular Quattroporte and Ghibli models. Besides these, Maserati also sells the Maserati GranTurismo and two SUV models: the Maserati Levante (their first-ever SUV) and the Maserati Grecale. Maserati aims to produce about 75,000 cars worldwide each year.
History of Maserati
The Maserati Brothers and Early Days
The Maserati family had five brothers: Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore, and Ernesto. All of them loved cars and were involved in the car world from the early 1900s. Alfieri, Bindo, and Ernesto first built race cars for another company called Diatto.
In 1926, Diatto stopped making race cars. This led the Maserati brothers to create their own car company and build the very first Maserati car. One of these early Maseratis, driven by Alfieri himself, won a famous race called the Targa Florio in 1926. Maserati then started making many different types of race cars.
The famous trident logo of Maserati was designed by Mario Maserati, who was an artist brother, not involved in the car business. The design was inspired by the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna, the city where the company started. In 1920, a family friend suggested using this symbol. It was a great choice because Neptune represents strength and power, which fits a sports car company perfectly. Also, the statue is a well-known symbol of Bologna.
Alfieri Maserati passed away in 1932. However, his three brothers, Bindo, Ernesto, and Ettore, kept the company going strong.
New Owners and Racing Success
In 1937, the Maserati brothers sold their shares in the company to the Adolfo Orsi family. In 1940, the Orsi family moved Maserati's main office to their hometown of Modena, where it still is today. The Maserati brothers continued to work for the company in engineering roles.
Maserati continued to win races, even against big German car makers like Auto Union and Mercedes. A Maserati 8CTF car won the Indianapolis 500 race two years in a row, in 1939 and 1940. This made Maserati the only Italian car company ever to win that race.
During World War II, Maserati stopped making cars to produce parts for the Italian war effort. After the war ended, Maserati went back to making cars. Their A6 series cars did very well in races after the war.
Many talented people joined the Maserati team. Alberto Massimino, a skilled engineer, led the design of all racing models for the next ten years. Other engineers like Giulio Alfieri, Vittorio Bellentani, and Gioacchino Colombo also joined. Their main goal was to create the best engines and car bodies for racing. The Maserati brothers made their last contributions during this time. After their contract with Orsi ended, they started their own new company called O.S.C.A.. The new Maserati team worked on several important projects, including the 250F.
A famous Argentinian race car driver named Juan-Manuel Fangio raced for Maserati in the 1950s. He achieved many amazing victories, including winning the world championship in 1957 in his Maserati 250F.
Maserati Stops Factory Racing
Maserati stopped participating in factory racing after a sad accident during the 1957 Mille Miglia race. After this, Maserati focused more on building luxury road cars called grand tourers.
The 1957 3500 GT was a very important car for Maserati. It was their first car designed from the ground up as a grand tourer and their first car produced in large numbers. Production jumped from a few cars a year to hundreds. This car's success was vital for Maserati to survive after they stopped racing.
The 3500 GT also led to the creation of the 5000 GT. This car was made because the Shah of Persia wanted a road car with a powerful racing engine. It became one of the fastest and most expensive cars of its time.
In the 1960s, Maserati introduced more new models. The Sebring came out in 1962, followed by the two-seater Mistral in 1963.
In 1963, Maserati launched its first saloon (a four-door car) called the Quattroporte. This car's V8 engine was the ancestor of all Maserati V8 engines until 1990. The stylish Ghia-designed Ghibli coupé was launched in 1967.
Citroën Takes Over
In 1968, another car company, Citroën, took over Maserati. Adolfo Orsi remained as president, but Citroën was in charge. The two companies worked together, and Maserati designed and built an engine for Citroën's new car, the SM. This car, launched in 1970, used a Maserati V6 engine.
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With Citroën's financial support, Maserati launched new models and built more cars than ever before. Maserati also started using some of Citroën's advanced technology, especially their hydraulic systems.
The first new car was the 1969 Indy, a four-seater luxury car. In 1971, the Bora became Maserati's first car with its engine placed in the middle. This was a big step forward, as it was also the first Maserati with independent suspension on all four wheels, making it more modern. In 1972, the Bora was changed into the Merak, which used a smaller V6 engine.
Maserati also developed the Quattroporte II, a large saloon car that shared many parts with the Citroën SM. However, only a few of these cars were ever made. The Bertone-designed Khamsin was introduced in 1972. It combined Maserati's traditional V8 engine with modern features.
Tough Times for Maserati
The 1973 oil crisis made things difficult for Maserati. People bought fewer fuel-hungry sports cars. Maserati was hit hard because more than half of its sales were in Italy, where car sales dropped a lot. The smaller Merak was the only Maserati car that continued to sell well.
In 1974, Citroën went bankrupt. On May 22, 1975, Citroën announced that Maserati would be closed down. The workers immediately protested to save their jobs. Trade unions, local politicians, and the mayor of Modena worked together to save the company. An agreement was reached in June, and the Italian government helped pay salaries for a few months. During these discussions, a possible Italian buyer, Alejandro de Tomaso, was mentioned for the first time.
The De Tomaso Years
On August 8, 1975, an agreement was signed, and Maserati was sold to an Italian state-owned company called GEPI and Alejandro de Tomaso. De Tomaso, an Argentinian businessman and former racing driver, became the new president and CEO.
Starting in 1976, new Maserati models were introduced. These cars shared parts with De Tomaso's own cars but used Maserati's engines. First came the Kyalami and then the Giugiaro-designed Quattroporte III.
The sales of older models like the Bora and Khamsin slowly stopped. The Merak continued to sell for a few more years. Even though sales were down, more people became aware of Maserati because of a popular song by Joe Walsh that mentioned the brand.
The Biturbo Era
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In the 1980s, Maserati mostly stopped making mid-engine sports cars. Instead, they focused on a smaller, front-engine car called the Biturbo. The most special thing about the Biturbo was its twin-turbocharged V6 engine. This was the first time a production car had such an engine. Many new Maserati models launched in the 1980s and 1990s were based on the Biturbo's design. The Biturbo family was very successful, selling 40,000 units.
In 1983 and 1984, Maserati added more types of cars to the Biturbo range, including four-door saloons and a convertible. In 1984, Chrysler bought a small part of Maserati. They made a deal for Maserati to produce a car for the American market, called the Chrysler TC by Maserati.
New Biturbo-based cars and updated models were launched every year. In 1986, fuel injection was added, making the cars more reliable. The luxurious Royale was introduced, but only a few were made. In 1988, the Karif two-seater was launched. The Biturbo name was eventually dropped, and the updated cars were called the 222 and 422. In 1989, Maserati brought back an eight-cylinder grand tourer, the Shamal, which had a powerful new twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
De Tomaso and FIAT Partnership
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In October 1989, De Tomaso bought the remaining shares from GEPI. In December, FIAT joined Maserati. Maserati and Innocenti (another car company) were separated. FIAT Auto owned 49% of the new Maserati S.p.A., and De Tomaso controlled the other 51%.
In the early 1990s, Maserati started developing a new mid-engine sports car called the Chubasco. However, this project was canceled because FIAT felt it was too similar to Ferrari cars. Starting in 1990, all Biturbo models received a new look designed by Marcello Gandini.
The Ghibli II was introduced in 1992. It was a six-cylinder coupé with updated Biturbo parts and a new body. Maserati also made a small open-top sports car called the Maserati Barchetta. Only 17 of these were produced. Between 1992 and 1994, most models were stopped, except for the Ghibli and Shamal.
FIAT Takes Full Control
On May 19, 1993, Alejandro De Tomaso sold his share in Maserati to FIAT, making FIAT the sole owner. In 1994, the older Quattroporte was replaced by the Quattroporte IV. This car was also based on the Biturbo design and was available with a V6 or a more powerful V8 engine.
Years later, Maserati and Chrysler became connected again when FIAT bought most of Chrysler in 2011. Then, in 2021, FIAT Chrysler merged with PSA Group to form Stellantis, bringing Maserati and Citroën back together for the first time since 1975.
Ferrari's Influence
In July 1997, FIAT sold half of Maserati to its long-time rival, Ferrari (which FIAT also owned). By 1999, Ferrari took full control, making Maserati its luxury car division. A brand new factory was built in Modena.
The changes made by Ferrari led to an improved version of the Quattroporte, called the Quattroporte Evoluzione, which was shown in 1998.
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In 1998, Maserati launched the 3200 GT. This two-door coupé had a powerful 3.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
In 2002, the 3200 GT was replaced by the Maserati Coupé and Spyder. These cars used a new, naturally aspirated (not turbocharged) 4.2-liter V8 engine. Later, the Coupé and Spyder were replaced by the GranTurismo and GranCabrio.
Maserati also introduced two new models: the MC12 super sports car (which shared parts with the Ferrari Enzo) and a new Quattroporte luxury saloon. Today, Maserati is doing well and selling cars all over the world. In 2001, Ferrari updated the Modena factory with new, high-tech equipment.
Since early 2002, Maserati returned to the United States market, which quickly became its biggest market. The company also started racing again with its Trofeo cars and, in 2003, the MC12. The MC12 has been very successful in racing, winning championships multiple times. Only 50 street-legal MC12 models were sold.
Maserati and Alfa Romeo Group
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In 2005, Maserati was separated from Ferrari and partnered with Alfa Romeo under the FIAT Group. On June 9, 2005, the 20,000th Maserati, a Quattroporte V, was made. In 2007, Maserati made a profit for the first time in 17 years under FIAT ownership.
In 2010, FIAT created a new group for Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Abarth brands. The goal was to highlight the sporty and high-performance qualities of these brands.
In 2013, Maserati began to grow with the launch of the Quattroporte VI. This car was designed to compete better with luxury cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Then came the Ghibli, which competed with cars like the BMW 5 Series. On May 6, 2014, Maserati confirmed they would produce the Levante SUV and the Alfieri sports car concept. The Alfieri has not yet started production. The GranTurismo and GranCabrio models were planned to stop production in 2014, but their production was extended until November 2019.
Maserati also started making high-performance cars again to compete with brands like Mercedes-AMG and Porsche. They introduced powerful versions of the Quattroporte VI, Ghibli, and Levante with V8 engines and all-wheel drive.
Maserati's sales grew a lot in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, Maserati sold about 36,500 cars worldwide, a huge increase from the previous year. Maserati aims to stay in the high-end luxury sports car market and not make smaller, less expensive vehicles.
In 2014, FIAT S.p.A. merged with Chrysler to form Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Then, in 2021, Fiat Chrysler merged with the French PSA Group to create Stellantis.
The Future: Electric Cars
On March 17, 2022, Maserati's CEO, Davide Grasso, announced exciting news. Maserati plans to make an electric version of all its models by 2025. The company also plans to stop making cars with regular gasoline engines by 2030. All electric Maseratis will be called "Folgore," which means "lightning" in Italian.
Maserati Automobiles
- See List of Maserati vehicles for a complete historical list
Current Models
| Quattroporte | Ghibli | Levante | MC20 MC20 Cielo |
Grecale | GranTurismo GranCabrio |
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Maserati Quattroporte
"Quattroporte" means "four-door" in Italian. This Maserati is a sporty luxury saloon. The sixth version of the Quattroporte came out in 2013. It is available in different versions, including the S Q4 with all-wheel drive and a powerful V6 engine. The GTS version has a V8 engine. There is also a Diesel model in some countries. The latest Quattroporte is larger to compete with other roomy luxury saloons.
Since 2018, the Quattroporte has been updated. The S Q4 V6 engine now has more horsepower, and the GTS V8 engine is also more powerful, both with all-wheel drive.
Maserati Ghibli
The Ghibli was first shown on April 20, 2013. It is a sporty executive saloon that competes with cars like the BMW 5 Series. The Ghibli, along with the new Quattroporte, is built in Italy. The base Ghibli has 330 horsepower, and the Ghibli S Q4 has 410 horsepower. There is also a Diesel version. Since 2018, the Ghibli has been updated with more powerful engines.
Maserati Levante
The Maserati Levante is a crossover SUV that was introduced in 2014. Maserati had shown concept versions of an SUV before, in 2003 and 2011. The Levante is made in Turin, Italy. It comes with a 3.0-liter V6 engine with different power levels. All Levante models have all-wheel drive. Production of the Levante will stop by the end of March 2024.
Maserati MC20
The Maserati MC20 is a two-door sports car with its engine in the middle. It was first shown in September 2020. This car has a lightweight carbon fiber body and a 3-liter V6 engine that produces 630 horsepower.
Maserati Grecale
The Maserati Grecale is a compact luxury SUV with five doors and seating for five people. It shares its basic design with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Grecale offers different engine options, including mild hybrid four-cylinder engines and a powerful V6 "Nettuno" engine for the Trofeo version.
Maserati GranTurismo
The Maserati GranTurismo is a grand tourer car that was introduced in 2007. It has a 4.7-liter V8 engine. A convertible version, called the GranCabrio, is also available. The first generation of the GranTurismo was produced until 2019.
The current, second generation GranTurismo was revealed in 2022 and started production in April 2023. It comes with a 3-liter V6 engine, similar to the MC20, or as an electric version called the Folgore, which has three motors and produces 761 horsepower.
Sales History
- Annual Maserati shipments to sales network (number of type-approved vehicles)
| Year | Sales |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 518 |
| 1999 | 1,538 |
| 2000 | 1,970 |
| 2001 | 1,869 |
| 2002 | 3,567 |
| 2003 | 2,900 |
| 2004 | 4,877 |
| 2005 | 5,568 |
| 2006 | 5,764 |
| 2007 | 7,496 |
| Year | Sales |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 8,759 |
| 2009 | 4,489 |
| 2010 | 5,675 |
| 2011 | 6,159 |
| 2012 | 6,288 |
| 2013 | 15,393 |
| 2014 | 36,448 |
| 2015 | 32,474 |
| 2016 | 42,100 |
| 2017 | 51,500 |
| Year | Sales |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 34,900 |
| 2019 | 19,300 |
| 2020 | 16,900 |
| 2021 | 24,269 |
| 2022 | 25,900 |
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Maserati in Motorsport
Throughout its history, Maserati has been involved in many types of car racing. This includes Formula One, sportscar racing, and touring car racing. Famous drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Prince Bira of Siam have raced for Maserati.
Maserati built fifteen GranTurismo MC racecars for European and national racing series. One of these cars was raced in Dubai in 2010.
On January 10, 2022, Maserati announced that it would join Formula E in the 2022–23 season. This will make them the first Italian car maker to compete in this electric racing series.
See also
In Spanish: Maserati para niños
- Maserati (motorcycle)
- CMD – Costruzioni Motori Diesel S.p.A.
Additional sources
