Ready to Grow

With just three months on the job under his belt, Maserati SpA CEO Martin Leach is confident the Italian auto maker can continue its sales growth in the U.S., while expanding its product line in new directions.

During festivities in Rome celebrating Maserati's 90th anniversary, Leach tells Ward's he expects his brand to achieve an operating profit by 2007 as a result of plans to take direct control of distribution. He also expects increased sharing across vehicle lines and a sales focus on a demand-pull model going forward.

Maserati has invested heavily in vehicle development since 1997, with the backing of parent Ferrari SpA. Maserati also is concentrating on commonality around a single architecture to reduce new product costs as well.

“We are looking at different ways of expanding our portfolio in terms of model and powertrain offerings, and that may well have the effect of improving our overall business mix,” says Leach.

Maserati's new models likely will not include the Kubang concept wagon, which Leach says was not intended for production despite earlier interest on the part of some Maserati executives to build the vehicle. “The Kubang was a concept,” insists Leach.

However, he says the Kubang did inspire company designers and engineers to consider developing a vehicle that would provide more room and functionality, something he thinks Maserati will need in the future.

In terms of overall future sales, a Maserati spokesman says the auto maker plans to sell 4,700 units globally this year, with sales growing to 6,500 in 2005 and up to 10,000 by 2006. U.S. sales are expected to increase from 1,200 units this year to 2,000 in 2005.

Leach says Maserati has no plans to follow other luxury brands that have become full-line vehicle manufacturers.