In a bid to claim a larger slice of the luxury car demand pie, Fiat is planning to launch its state-of-the-art sports car brand, Maserati in the country. An insider on the condition of anonymity let on that, “a team from Maserati’s global headquarters visited India in recent months.” The executives were rumoured to have been scouring for potential dealers. A cut above in terms of design and craftsmanship, we believe that the 100 year old Italian brand will see no dearth of desi car enthusiasts rushing to get their hands on the fabulous offerings. Reports suggest that at first, Fiat is planning to introduce only three exclusive company-owned stores in the major metros of Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.
Despite an early entry into India’s luxury car segment, Fiat was not able to consolidate its brand well. They are hoping to change that with the introduction of the Maserati. Other well-established brands falling under the Fiat Group include the Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Fiat Professional , Abarth and of course, the uber luxurious Ferrari. In an increased effort to get a foothold in the country, the Italian automakers will also launch their famed Jeep and Chrysler brands in India in 2015.
Nagesh Basavanhalli, president and managing director at Fiat Chrysler India however, remains tight-lipped about Fiat’s future plans for India. On Maserati’s India launch he said it is, “too early to comment.” “We are under lots of discussions for bringing exciting stuff from our international portfolio, though we are yet to freeze our plans,” he further revealed.
If Maserati along with its flagship sedan the Quattroporte, the Ghibli saloons, the GranTourismo coupe and the GranCabrio convertible do come to India, they are expected to cost somewhere between Rs.1,50,00,000 to Rs.3,00,00,000 (ex-showroom). The price range decided is in keeping with the exclusivity of the brand which only just recently announced that it proposes to cap production at 75,000 units per year globally. Maserati will also have to face some serious competition from other high-end automobile brands such as Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Bentley.
