ITALY: New industrial structure for Maserati

Maserati says it will introduce three new models in three different market segments as part of a reorganisation plan which has been put to the Fiat division's trade unions.

Leveraging on its existing presence in 65 markets worldwide and a new generation of products targeted at volume market segments, Maserati plans what it says is a "significant increase" in production, reaching up to 50,000 vehicles a year by 2015.

With regard to industrial requirements, Fiat noted the current facilities will

not be adequate to implement these targets.

"Given its location inside the city limits, the Modena plant cannot be expanded and, therefore, the decision was made some time ago to locate future production at the Officine Automobilistiche Grugliasco plant (ex Bertone)," said a Fiat statement.

"Acquired by Fiat just over two years ago, a total of EUR500m (US$656m) is being invested to upgrade that plant."

Design, marketing and distribution activities for the product range will be located at the company's Modena headquarters, in addition to production of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges and, from May 2013, a new Alfa Romeo model with expected production of up to 2,500 units per year.

With regard to the impact on employment, the company said restructuring and capacity underutilisation would be managed through the use of temporary lay-off benefit schemes.

"As on other occasions however, every opportunity will be taken to utilise Maserati workers at other Group plants," said Fiat.