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This is part of the ItalianCar.net archive - go to ItalianCar.net now NEWS ARCHIVE Maserati has a record sales year in US
With 2,100 cars delivered in 2005, Maserati North America has set a new high water mark in the United States and Canada, nearly doubling sales volume with a 53 % increase compared to the 1,114 cars sold in 2004. Of the 2,100 cars, 1,550 were the Quattroporte model. In fact, through November of 2005, the Quattroporte maintained a commanding lead in its segment with a 36% share of the market for sedans with a base MSRP between $100,000 and $200,000. The individual models included in the same group are the BMW 760, the Mercedes S600, S55 and S65 and the Bentley Flying Spur. The balance of units sold by Maserati in 2005 were Coupe and Spyder models, plus the recent GranSport which will soon be joined by the GranSport Spyder, first shown in Los Angeles. North America represents almost 40% of Maserati's worldwide volume. California is Maserati's largest market in the United States, with - perhap not unsurprisingly - Los Angeles as the number one sales market. Sales success in the United States is mirrored in the success achieved by Maserati worldwide. Maserati sales were up in 2005 by 25% versus 2004, and a total of over 5,600 cars sold. At the end of November, riding on the success of the Quattroporte, Italy has become Maserati's second market in the world, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. Never has Maserati's presence in the world been felt more than today: a commercial reality in 56 countries on five continents with an overall network of over 275 dealerships - Maserati is now represented in more countries than ever before in its history. Meanwhile on the race track, the MC12 took both the team and manufacturers' titles in the FIAT GT World Championship. In the main global markets, Maserati directly controls its subsidiaries, including a joint venture in China. This is an amazing turnaround for the brand which was languishing in the doldrums less than a decade ago. An injection of Ferrari management style has obviously done the marque a power of good and it will be interesting to see whether it maintains its momentum now that the brand is grouped with Alfa Romeo within Fiat and not with Ferrari. Maserati has not only been putting in a hot performance in the showroom, its also been working hard in Hollywood. Maserati models are featured in top television shows such as Entourage and The Sopranos on HBO and ABC's Desperate Housewives. Maserati has also been a part of Nip/Tuck on F/X, a cable channel of FOX; and featured in the most popular show on American television today, CSI on CBS. RETURN TO RACING The return to competition in the United States, with an MC12 in the American Le Mans Series, was significant as the USA is the Marque's biggest market, has scores of fans and was theatre of the now legendary Maserati win in the 1957 12-Hour race in Sebring. MASTER GT MASERATI DRIVING SCHOOL IN NORTH AMERICA Twelve two-day and eight single-day programs will
be offered beginning in March 2006. A total of eighteen participants will
spend time in exclusively Maserati cars including the Coupe, GranSport
and Quattroporte. Master Maserati will be held at the famed Road Atlanta
circuit with support from Panoz Racing School. Each program will include
all technical equipment necessary, gourmet catering, concierge service
and a full business centre available. The two day course will also feature
one night at the Château Elan resort including a Maserati supper
with instructors and Maserati North America staff. © italiancar.com.au 08/01/06
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