The question is Maserati who is the manufacturer and which country this legendary brand belongs to often arises among those who encounter the premium segment of the automotive industry for the first time. Italian passion for design and German engineering precision - this is how we can characterize the current state of the company. Founded in Bologna by the Maserati brothers, the brand has come a long way from racing tracks to being owned by a multinational concern.
To date Maserati is an integral part of the automotive empire Stellantis. This giant association, which emerged from the merger of the PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, controls many well-known brands. However, it is important for connoisseurs to understand that, despite international ownership, the production facilities and the “soul” of the car are still based in Italy.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history of production line moves, discuss where different models are assembled, and find out how changes in ownership affect product quality. Country of origin remains a key factor in determining the character of the car, its chassis tuning and the overall driving style that fans of the brand love so much.
Historical roots and foundation of the company
The history of the brand originates in the city of Bologna, where the Alfieri brothers, Bindo and Ernesto Maserati founded the company in 1914 Officine Alfieri Maserati. Initially, the company was not engaged in producing its own cars, but in tuning and preparing cars of other brands for racing. It was the racing track that became the laboratory where the brand’s reputation was forged.
The brothers presented the first car under their own name only in 1926, and it was a model Tipo 26. The car immediately declared itself with victories in races, laying the foundation for the company's philosophy: creating fast, beautiful and technologically advanced cars. For a long time, production remained small-scale, and each car was largely a piece work.
⚠️ Attention: In historical documents and on old cars you can see the trident logo, which was inspired by the statue of Neptune in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna. Do not confuse this symbol with other Italian brands that use animals or shields.
Changes of locations within Italy occurred more than once. After Bologna, production moved to Modena, a city that became synonymous with the brand for many decades. It was in Modena, on Viale Ciro Menotti, that the headquarters and main production were located for most of the 20th century. Today it houses a museum and center Heritage, storing the history of the brand.
Modern corporate structure and ownership
Answer to the question Maserati who is the manufacturer in the modern context requires an understanding of the complex corporate structure. For a long time, the brand belonged to the Fiat Group, then became part of FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles). In 2021, FCA merged with the French PSA Group, resulting in the formation of the company Stellantis.
Stellantis is the world's fourth largest automaker, with 14 brands including Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler. Although Stellantis is headquartered in Amsterdam and registered in the Netherlands, brand management Maserati carried out from Italy. The operations center is located in Turin (Grinshas), where key decisions on the development of the model range are made.
It is important to note that coming under the wing of a large conglomerate allowed Maserati gain access to new technologies, platforms and engines. For example, the use of electronics and some units from other brands of the concern helps reduce costs, but final assembly and tuning remain the prerogative of Italian engineers.
Why did Maserati join Stellantis?
The reason for the merger was the need for huge investments for the transition to electric vehicles and digitalization. It would be extremely difficult for a small brand to compete with Tesla and the German three without the resources of the giant.
Thus, although legally the manufacturer is part of an international corporation, the nationality of the brand and its engineering center remains Italian. This is confirmed by both the marketing strategy and the location of the main research centers.
Geography of production: where cars are assembled
Many car enthusiasts are interested in where exactly cars are physically assembled. The main and only car production plant Maserati For many years the plant has remained in Modena (Via Emilia Est). Flagship models such as Quattroporte, Ghibli and Levante are assembled here. This is where final assembly, engine installation and quality control take place.
However, there were other sites in the history of the brand. For example, model Maserati 3200 GT and earlier versions were assembled in different workshops in Modena. With the growing popularity of the Levante crossover and the Ghibli sedan, the capacity of the Modena plant became insufficient. To solve this problem, it was decided to use the plant Giambattista Vico in the city of Gragliasco (near Turin).
The Gragliasco plant, formerly owned by Bertone and later used by Fiat to produce Lancia, now assembles the Levante and Ghibli. This is a high-tech enterprise where robotic lines coexist with the manual labor of craftsmen. Also in Turin, at the factory Mirafiori, at certain periods individual components were assembled or limited editions were assembled.
☑️ Signs of an Italian Maserati assembly
The plant in the city of Cassino deserves special attention, where individual components were sometimes produced, but the final assembly always sought to be concentrated at key points. For model Maserati MC20, the new supercar, has been created in a special “clean room” (Officine Innovazione) in Modena, where assembly is carried out in sterile conditions, reminiscent of electronics production, to prevent dust from entering the carbon elements.
Technologies and engines: Italian heart
The key element of any Maserati is the engine. For a long time, engines developed jointly with Ferrari served as the “heart” of cars. The famous 90-degree V8 and V6 were produced at Ferrari's Maranello plant. This provided the unique sound and high performance for which the brand was loved.
With the transition to FCA and then Stellantis, the situation changed. The introduction of engines of the concern's own design began, but with deep modernization by Maserati engineers. Series motors appeared Nettuno - a completely Italian development, created in Modena. It's a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with pre-combustion technology similar to that found in Formula 1 racing cars.
| Engine model | Type | Power (hp) | Where is it produced? |
|---|---|---|---|
| F154 (V8) | Biturbo V8 | 530-580 | Ferrari (Maranello) |
| Nettuno (V6) | Biturbo V6 | 630 | Maserati (Modena) |
| 3.0 V6 (Diesel) | Turbodiesel V6 | 275 | VM Motori (Italy) |
| 2.0 GSe (Hybrid) | Microhybrid | 330 | Maserati (Modena) |
It is important to note that even the diesel engines found on the Ghibli and Levante models were produced at the plant VM Motori in Italy, which is also part of the Stellantis structure. Thus, regardless of the type of fuel, the country of origin of the power units remains the same.
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing a used Maserati, be sure to check the origin of the engine. The presence of a Ferrari engine (in older models) may affect the cost of service and availability of spare parts, since maintenance regulations for Ferrari and Maserati may differ.
Evolution of the model range and production
Production program Maserati has undergone significant changes. If at the beginning the brand produced exclusively sports two-seater cars, today the lion's share of sales is made up of four-door sedans and crossovers. This required restructuring production lines and changing logistics.
Model Quattroporte, being a symbol of luxury, has always been assembled with maximum attention to detail. Each leather interior detail is hand-sewn. Sedan Ghibli, which became a more accessible “entry point” to the brand, made it possible to increase production volumes, but required optimization of processes without loss of quality.
Crossover release Levante was a revolutionary step. Many purists doubted whether the sports car maker could make a good SUV. However, the plant in Gragliasco successfully coped with the task, combining high ground clearance with proprietary handling. Now Levante is one of the brand's most popular models in the world.
If you are planning to buy a Maserati Levante, pay attention to the year of manufacture: until 2021, the previous generation multimedia system was used, and after that there was an updated interface with improved graphics and speed.
Newest model Grecale, which replaces the Ghibli as a smaller crossover, is based on the Giorgio platform developed for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but with completely unique suspension tuning and bodywork. Grecale production is also concentrated in Italy, at the Cassino plant, which underlines the strategic importance of maintaining "Made in Italy".
Quality control and manual assembly
Despite belonging to a large holding, Maserati retains elements of the artisan approach. In the era of mass robotization, human labor is still valued here. For example, engine assembly Nettuno carried out by one master from start to finish, which is a rarity in the modern automotive industry.
Each car undergoes serial tests. There is even a special test track inside the Modena plant, where each assembled car is tested for leaks, electronics and dynamics. Only after this the car receives permission to be shipped to the dealer.
Particular attention is paid to materials. The leather for the interiors comes from the best Italian tanneries (for example, Poltrona Frau), and the wood and carbon fiber undergo multi-stage control. A unique feature is the ability to individually customize the color of stitching (stitching) and materials according to the customer's order through the Fuoriserie program.
⚠️ Attention: When accepting a new car from the showroom, be sure to check the body panel gaps and paint quality in bright daylight. Even premium cars may have minor defects that are easier to fix before signing the documents.
The combination of industrial robots for welding bodies and manual labor for assembling interiors and engines is the formula that allows Maserati to maintain a balance between quality and production volume.
Future plans: electrification and new factories
The future of the brand is inextricably linked to electrification. Maserati announced the transition to an all-electric platform for all new models by 2026-2030. The first all-electric car Maserati GranTurismo Folgore, has already been introduced and is being produced at facilities in Modena.
For the production of electric versions and new models such as electric Quattroporte and crossover Grecale Folgore, the Modena plant was modernized. Investments in the refurbishment amounted to hundreds of millions of euros. This ensures that the country of origin remains the same, even when there are batteries under the hood (or rather, in the floor) rather than an internal combustion engine.
It is planned that by 2026 the entire model range will have electrified versions. This is a difficult challenge for engineers, since it is necessary to preserve the signature sound (which will be synthesized in electric trains) and the control character characteristic of its gasoline ancestors.
What does the name Folgore mean?
Folgore means "Lightning" in Italian. This name is used for all electric Maserati variants, emphasizing the instant torque of electric motors.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is Maserati a subsidiary of Ferrari?
No, at the moment Maserati and Ferrari are independent companies, although they have common historical roots. Ferrari split from Fiat Chrysler (now part of Stellantis) in 2016. Maserati remained in the group, which is now called Stellantis. The engines for the old Maseratis were produced by Ferrari, but the new Nettuno engines are being developed independently.
Are Maserati assembled in Russia or China?
Officially, all Maserati cars for the global market, including Russia (before the brand left) and China, are produced in Italy. In China, SKD operations can be carried out for the local market within the framework of customs benefits, but the main components and quality control are Italian. The brand has never had factories in Russia.
Why is Maserati called the "Italian Porsche"?
This comparison is often used due to similar philosophies: both brands started out in racing, both focus on engineering excellence and sportiness, and both are now owned by major automotive alliances (VAG and Stellantis, respectively), which provide access to shared resources but retain the brand's identity.
Where is Maserati's head office located?
The historical headquarters and museum are located in Modena (Via Emilia Menotti). However, the administrative and operational center of the brand, where top managers work, has moved to Turin (Corso Giovanni Agnelli), where the Stellantis design and innovation center is also located.
How reliable are Maserati cars?
The reliability of modern Maseratis (after 2015-2017) has increased significantly due to integration into the FCA/Stellantis group and the use of more proven units. However, complex electronics and demands for quality service require the owner to strictly adhere to maintenance regulations. This is not a car to save on consumables.