Chrysler 2012 Annual Report Download - page 76

75
Report on Operations
Maserati
Commercial Performance
Maserati closed 2012 with positive results as performance in the U.S. and Asia more than compensated for
unfavorable market conditions in Europe. Shipments were up 2% over the prior year, in line with the market,
while revenues increased 8%.
In motor sport, the 3rd season of the highly successful Trofeo Maserati kicked off on May 20th at the Jarama
circuit in Madrid. The 2012 calendar included six races, two of which were held outside Europe for the first time
(California in September and China in November).
During 2012, Maserati shipped 6,288 cars to the network, a 2% increase over 2011. In the U.S., shipments
totaled 2,904 vehicles (+19%), representing the best volume performance in 8 years and confirming the U.S.
as the brand’s number one market. For the second consecutive year, China ranked as the brand’s second
largest market with shipments increasing more than 10% over the prior year to 930 vehicles. Excluding China,
shipments in the Asia Pacific region were up 21% over the prior year to 861 units. The Middle East registered
the highest percentage increase, with shipments up 37% to 417 vehicles (304 in 2011). Performance in those
regions more than offset significant declines in Europe, where shipments were down 30% over the prior year
to 1,071 vehicles.
With the contribution of the new Sport version, the Maserati GranTurismo was the top selling vehicle this
year with a total of 3,172 units sold (+12% over 2011). Now in its final year of production, Maserati’s luxury
sport sedan, the Quattroporte sold 1,499 units. Performance for the GranCabrio was in line with the prior
year (1,617 vehicles).
Products and Awards
Maserati’s future luxury SUV, the Levante,
made its American debut at the Detroit
Auto Show in January.
At the Geneva Motor Show in March,
Maserati presented the new GranTurismo
Sport, powered by a 460 hp engine
and available with both automatic and
sequential transmissions.
At the Paris Motor Show in September,
Maserati officially presented the
GranCabrio MC, the latest evolution of the
successful convertible which incorporates
technologies developed from the brand’s
many years of experience in motor racing.
During the first two weeks of December,
the international press was given the
opportunity to road test the new Maserati
Quattroporte. The model was debuted in
January at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.