Italian luxury car manufacturer Maserati has exceeded its 2013 Middle East and Africa (MEA) sales in the first half of this year, while continuing its global expansion strategy.

Maserati reported that sales in the MEA region have increased 152 per cent in the first half of 2014 compared to last year’s result of the same period. In fact, the result of the first six months of 2014 exceeds the sales of 2013 overall. Globally, Maserati aims to achieve an annual sales volume of 50,000 units over the coming years, primarily through new products and entering new markets, it said.

Within the MEA region, the trident brand reports its highest sales in the UAE. The market grew by over 226 per cent since last year. Second highest, in terms of vehicles delivered to customers, is Saudi Arabia, registering 231 per cent growth. Indeed, all countries of the Middle East are growing in double and triple digits.

The most successful model of the first half is the new Maserati Ghibli, which was launched earlier in the year and received well by customers wanting to realise their dream of owning a Maserati, it said.

Maserati’s flagship, the Quattroporte, grew by a further 79 per cent following its introduction in 2013, driven largely by the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The introduction of a further engine variant, a 330 hp V6, is expected in the third quarter of this year.
At the same time, the legendary GranTurismo and GranCabrio will experience a revival with the arrival of the limited Centennial Edition.

The further development of its network infrastructure, including a new showroom in Lebanon among others, allows Maserati to be closer to its exclusive clientele in the region, it said.
 
“The MEA region and the emerging markets in general allow us to grow while maintaining our exclusivity in the existing markets. With the new Quattroporte and Ghibli we have a very strong product portfolio complementing the GranTurismo and GranCabrio. Over the coming years we look forward to a new introduction in the SUV segment and the Maserati Alfieri, which was first presented at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show,” explained Umberto Cini, managing director of Maserati Global Overseas Markets.  

Maserati celebrates its centennial this year - an auspicious occasion as Maserati is at a turning point in its history. The luxury brand celebrates its centenary with an event at its headquarters in Modena, Italy, in September for which thousands of Maserati fans and owners from around the world will gather for a succession of races, exhibitions, parades, visits to the two Maserati factories and a concours d'elegance. - TradeArabia News Service