Maserati is reportedly cutting down the production volume in its Grugliasco plant due to the slower-than-last-year demand.
The Italian manufacturer enjoyed record sales during last year, with a 137% increase, selling 36.448 cars in 2014, mainly because of the new Ghibli and Quattroporte being added in its range.
The number of shifts at the plant has been reduced from 12 to 10 a week, according to a union official who spoke to AutoNews. “Fiat has told us that workers at the Grugliasco plant will be working for three weeks out of four up until July. The company is predicting production of about 30,000 to 35,000 cars at Grugliasco this year. I think it will be closer to 30,000,” said Federico Bellono, CGIL union leader in Turin.
Maserati sold almost 23,500 Ghiblis around the world with Quattroporte accounting for 9,500 units and a total of 3,500 units for the GranTurismo/GranCabrio duo. Parent company FCA declined to comment on the story but CEO Sergio Marchionne said earlier in the Geneva Motor Show that a drop in demand was expected for this year.
Maserati wants to reach annual sales volume of 75,000 cars and in order to do that, it plans to launch its first-ever SUV, known as Levante, early next year.
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