While the above-mentioned luxury brands are respected in the marketplace, none offer the exotic nature of Maserati.
Kalbfell is very aware of this, and while respectful of the Italian brand's revered nature understands that its exalted image can also hurt sales.
"Nothing could be more wrong," says Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, CEO of Maserati S.p.A. with regards to comments about the Quattroporte being expensive. "Maserati is more affordable than what the majority of car buyers and potential customers realize. This is a perception that we have to change."
Kalbfell says that Quattroporte customers mentally link the exotic sedan's price of entry to Bentley's new Flying Spur, which is good company but out of the reach of most buyers at $164,990.
Jaguar's 400-horsepower supercharged XJR, at $79,330 is a
superb value compared to its premium competitors, although if outfitted with similar luxury options as the Quattroporte bridges the gap significantly. More questionable from a value perspective is VW's top-line Phaeton W12 at $107,500; no wonder it and the V8 version are being discontinued.
Another competitor that may hurt Quattroporte sales is Mercedes-Benz's new CLS 55 AMG, starting at a more affordable $86,600. While tighter dimensionally in the rear seating area, it's styling rivals the Maserati sedan and engine output even more robust; although handling, while good for a Mercedes-Benz, is reportedly not as agile as the Quattroporte.
Porsche's upcoming Panamera four-door coupe could also steal some potential sales from Maserati's four-door, as could a similar model expected from BMW.
While Maserati's Kalbfell believes he can increase the Quattroporte's sales dramatically during 2006, it won't be an easy ride. Still, you can't wail along to Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good" with any sort of integrity in a BMW or Mercedes-Benz... "My Maserati does 185..."
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| While the BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are respected in the marketplace, none offer the exotic allure of Maserati. (Photo: Maserati North America) |
"Nothing could be more wrong," says Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, CEO of Maserati S.p.A. with regards to comments about the Quattroporte being expensive. "Maserati is more affordable than what the majority of car buyers and potential customers realize. This is a perception that we have to change."
Kalbfell says that Quattroporte customers mentally link the exotic sedan's price of entry to Bentley's new Flying Spur, which is good company but out of the reach of most buyers at $164,990.
Jaguar's 400-horsepower supercharged XJR, at $79,330 is a
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| Potential Quattroporte customers are said to mentally link the exotic sedan's price of entry to Bentley's new Flying Spur, which is good company but out of the reach of most buyers at $164,990. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
Another competitor that may hurt Quattroporte sales is Mercedes-Benz's new CLS 55 AMG, starting at a more affordable $86,600. While tighter dimensionally in the rear seating area, it's styling rivals the Maserati sedan and engine output even more robust; although handling, while good for a Mercedes-Benz, is reportedly not as agile as the Quattroporte.
Porsche's upcoming Panamera four-door coupe could also steal some potential sales from Maserati's four-door, as could a similar model expected from BMW.
While Maserati's Kalbfell believes he can increase the Quattroporte's sales dramatically during 2006, it won't be an easy ride. Still, you can't wail along to Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good" with any sort of integrity in a BMW or Mercedes-Benz... "My Maserati does 185..."
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