A HUGE sports car brand is struggling and could be sold – just days after axing its new EV, it is claimed.
The impact from Donald Trump’s brutal trade tariffs may see manufacturing giant Stellanis forced to offload Maserati.
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It comes after the conglomerate announced last month production on its upcoming MC20 Folgore had been cancelled due to low demand.
The EV, which translates to ‘lightning’ in Italian, was intended to be the brand’s electric alternative to the stunning MC20 sports car.
Stellanis watched as sales nosedived last year – during a period of planned rebuilding – before CEO Carlos Tavares resigned.
The US President’s cavalier levies, which he says are crucial to turning around America’s economy and ensuring national security, have left the business world sweating.
Stellanis is reported to have hired management consulting firm McKinsey and Company to review the situation, including its other struggling brand, Alfa Romeo, with an eye on the tariffs.
A spokesperson told Automotive News Europe that McKinsey was “asked to provide its considerations” for Maserati and Alfa Romeo.
Both brands experienced a dire 2024, with Maserati selling just 11,300 cars globally.
Trump’s new legislation means tariffs of at least 25 percent on anything imported into the US.
It means nothing is off the table for Stellanis, according to reports.
That includes the potential for partnering with rival firms or even offloading brands.
Stellanis told Motor1: “McKinsey has been asked to provide its considerations regarding the recently announced U.S. tariffs for Alfa Romeo and Maserati.”
Alfa Romeo is currently working on next-generation versions of Stelvio and Giulia, but Maserati cancelling its electric plans perhaps points towards a more precarious position.
The MC20 Folgore – which promised a power output and performance characteristics similar to the existing V6-engined MC20 – was originally planned to be one of six Maserati EVs set for launch over the next year or so.
But last month, news broke that Stellantis had decided against throwing them a £1.3billion investment.
Stellantis chief financial officer Doug Ostermann said they had pulled the plug on Maserati projects, with claims they wanted to review the pace in which sports car owners move over to EVs.
He said: “We have to recognise the dynamics in that business, particularly in the Chinese market, and our expectations in terms of how quickly that luxury market would transition to electrification.”
Two other Maserati projects are in danger of being cancelled too; replacements for the Levante and Quattroporte, which were set to be released in 2027 and 2028 respectively.
Combined, the three models would have been Maserati’s electric line-up, adapting to the EV revolution.
The Sun has approached Stellanis for further comment.
