Chrysler 2007 Annual Report Download - page 72

Report on Operations Maserati 71
Operating Performance
2007 was the year of the turnaround for Maserati. It posted a
trading profit (24 million euros) for the first time since its
acquisition by Fiat in 1993. With 7,496 units delivered in 2007,
Maserati also performed brilliantly on the commercial front.
Introduction of the Automatic version of the Maserati
Quattroporte enabled sales of this car to reach 5,455 units,
representing a 43% increase from the previous year. On the
eight principal markets where Maserati operates, the
Quattroporte was the fourth best-selling car in its category in
2007, and it continued receiving awards inside and outside Italy,
for a total of no less than 40 prizes and titles since its
introduction. The Maserati GranTurismo went on sale at the end
of July 2007. At December 31 2007, a total of 1,779 units had
been delivered, and 2,307 orders had been received for this
model.
In the racing car category, Maserati Corse won all four prizes
up for grabs by fielding the MC12: the Constructors
Championship, the Race Car Drivers Championship, the Racing
Team Championship, and the Citation Cup, facing down tough
competition and demonstrating its superior performance and
quality.
In 2007 the reference segment of the Quattroporte in all of the
eight principal markets where Maserati operates contracted by
about 10% when taken as a whole, while the reference segment
of the Maserati GranTurismo expanded by 20%.
Maserati delivered 7,496 cars to the dealer network, up 30.7%
from the 5,734 units delivered in 2006. With 2,608 units sold
and a 13% increase from the previous year, in 2007 the United
States confirmed its position as the most important market for
Maserati. In the other countries where Maserati operates, the
average reported increase was 43%, with excellent
performance in the United Arab Emirates (+148%), Russia
(+140%), China (+88%), Spain (+81%), and Japan (+55%).
At December 31, 2007, 2,793 units were on order, or about 2.5
times more than at December 31, 2006.
Maserati
Highlights
(in millions of euros) 2007 2006
Net revenues 694 519
Trading profit 24 (33)
Operating result (*) 22 (33)
Investments in tangible and intangible assets 97 82
- of which capitalised R&D costs 42 32
Total R&D expenses (**) 54 46
Cars delivered (number) 7,496 5,734
Employees at year-end (number) 695 649
(*) Including restructuring costs and unusual income (expenses).
(**) Including R&D capitalised and charged to operations.
Innovation and Products
Major new developments took place at Maserati in 2007. After
the launch of the automatic version of the Quattroporte at the
Detroit Motor Show in January, the new Maserati
GranTurismo, a high performance coupé which is also a
genuine four-seater, was presented at the Geneva Motor Show
in March. Both cars were acclaimed by the press and positively
received by customers.
The new Quattroporte Sport GTS received an especially warm
reception when it was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show
in September. This version was developed to satisfy customers
who seek a true sports version in a sedan.