The rumor of a maserati sale resurfaces. While we had thought the subject closed since the summer of 2024, new indiscretions from China and Italian union circles relaunch the question: would Stellantis be ready to give in the gem of the trident?
A hard soap opera
The story dates back to July 2024, when Natalie Knight, financial director of Stellantis, had mentioned the possibility of a spin-off or a sale of Maserati in order to “find the best house”. The Italian luxury brand was then in full turmoil: downward sales, reworked direction, delayed projects … and above all, a remarkable absence during the Stellantis Investor Day.
Faced with the stirred excitement, John Elkann and Carlos Tavares had published a categorical press release: “Maserati is not for sale”. A promise repeated several times since, especially in recent days.
Results in free fall
But now the figures for the first quarter of 2025 fall … and they are alarming: a turnover in a fall of 50 % compared to the previous year, and a reduction in sales of -48 %. A striking contrast when we remember that Maserati produced up to 40,000 vehicles per year at the height of his activity. What revive concerns, but also speculation.
Potential buyers in ambush
It is in this context that a declaration by Charlie Zhang, executive vice-president of Chery Auto, set fire to the powder. Asked about the Chinese manufacturer’s expansion strategy, he declares: “We are ready to seize any opportunity to acquire brands”. No name is cited, but Maserati is immediately on everyone’s lips.
-The Italian press adds. The Italian newspaper Corriere Torino evokes a strategy to sell several assets by John Elkann, including Iveco Defense and potentially Maserati, with negotiations entrusted to Goldman Sachs. Objective: to bring up to 1.5 billion euros in the boxes.
The union reaction was not long in coming. For Edi Lazzi from Fiom, it is no more or less than “making cash flow by breaking family jewelry”. Same story with Rocco Cutrì of the FIM: “Selling Maserati is to definitively give up Italian luxury”. Conversely, Luigi PAone of the UILM sees it as a possible solution of last resort if the Elkann family no longer has the means to relaunch the brand.
Stellantis denies again
Stellantis quickly tried to calm the game. “With all the respect due, Maserati is not for sale,” said a spokesperson for the group, in direct response to Chery’s words. The company reaffirms its desire to make Maserati the pillar of its premium offer, in particular through the electrification of the Folgore range (Granturismo, Grancabrio, Greek).
But despite these denials, confidence is crumbling. This is not the first time that the group has deemed loyalty to the Trident brand … before rumors re-emerged at the slightest poor performance.
Is the sale to a Chinese group like Chery, eager for European prestige,, is a credible hypothesis? If the interest seems real, the decision remains political as much as economic. A sale of Maserati would mark the end of an emblematic chapter of Italian industry … or perhaps the start of a new one, under a foreign pavilion.
