Maserati announces plans for its electric future

The FCA has declared a 5 million Euro plan to ramp up their engineering prowess in Italy. Consequently Maserati has announced its plans for production, electrification and autonomous driving technologies based in Italy. It announced plans for its lineup of new and electrified products at Modena, Cassino and Turin. All of Maserati’s new models will be 100 percent made in Italy.

The Current plan

The company announced that all new Maserati models including the updated current models, will offer a range of autonomous driving capabilities. Starting with Maserati Level 2 enhanced Highway Assist progressing to Level 3 with hands-off offering close to full autonomy, giving the car the ability to maneuver in and out of lanes or bring the vehicle to a safe stop at the side of the road if the driver is unable to take control of the vehicle.

In 2020, the company will embark on electrification of the Maserati Ghibli, produced in Turin, will be the first hybrid electric vehicle for the brand. This announcement marks a big step in not just Maserati’s future but the future of cars in general, if an Italian sportscar brand is heading towards electrification and autonomous driving then we are definitely in changing times

The Next wave

Maserati’s first all-new car will be an electric sportscar made in Modena with assembly lines being modified to accommodate its electric powertrain. The next model will be their ‘utility vehicle’ set to be built at Cassino, with an 800 million Euro investment in the new production line being made for it. The first pre-series cars are expected to roll off the line by 2021. The all-new fully-electric GranTurismo and GranCabrio will be produced at the Turin production hub.

Staying close to home

Maserati is putting a huge effort in being centralised around Italy, while most companies are taking production to countries with cheaper labour and materials. It is important for a brand like Maserati to stick to its roots while making a leap towards a future without ICE engines and probably without drivers most of the time. Maserati and FCA are investing big money into the country and new facilities with new production lines, updated factories and even a new paint shop for the Modena plant, a new feature for the plant, which will be equipped with innovative, low environmental-impact technologies. The design of the paint shop will also allow Maserati customers to watch their car being painted. They have also announced an entirely new customization program for customers seeking a one-of-a-kind level of exclusivity. A dedicated customization workshop will be created within the Modena plant.

If you’re a petrolhead and are saddened by this news, don’t worry. Electric cars are not the end instead they are the start of an exciting future where performance does not need to come at an other-worldly price. Moreover, Maserati deciding to base itself in Italy is actually fantastic news, it means they will stick to their traditions and craftsmanship and that’s always a great thing.