Stellantis chief executive officer Carlos Tavares. — Reuters
ROME: Stellantis chief executive officer (CEO) Carlos Tavares has failed to confirm previously announced electrification plans for Maserati, Italian trade unionists say after meeting him, adding to concern about the loss-making luxury brand.
Tavares visited Maserati’s plant in its hometown of Modena, but “no clear answers came” from his conversations with workers’ representatives, Samuele Lodi and Stefania Ferrari of the FIOM-Cgil union said in a joint statement.
Lodi and Ferrari expressed concern that “contrary to what was previously communicated” to unions, the planned start of production in mid-2025 of the electric version of the MC 20 sports car was not mentioned.
“There was no mention of electric models, nor of other new models coming to the Modena plant,” they said.
Tavares came to Modena with the new CEO of Maserati Santo Ficili, appointed this month.
Under its previous boss, Maserati announced plans to fully electrify its lineup by 2028, including with a new version of its Levante large sport utility vehicle in 2027, and a new Quattroporte luxury sedan in 2028.
The Franco-Italian automaker has repeatedly denied speculation about a possible sale of Maserati, although Tavares has said the group cannot afford to keep brands that are not profitable.
In a note earlier, Stellantis said it was pushing ahead with electrification and “finalising a strategic plan to take Maserati back to the top of the sector, with a full pipeline of new products and technologies for the coming years”.
Stellantis, according to its website, is made up of 14 automotive brands and two mobility arms that are about more than transportation: they’re about moving people and making connections.
“As we transform into a sustainable mobility tech company, we are guided by the clear vision of our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, which paves the way for Stellantis to achieve carbon net zero by 2038 and be second to none in value creation for all stakeholders.
“We are leading the charge in electrification and software development,” it added. — Reuters
