Overview

Maserati is an Italian luxury-performance automobile brand established in Bologna on 1 December 1914 by the Maserati brothers. The company began with a strong concentration on competition engineering and became associated with technically sophisticated racing cars, powerful engines, distinctive Italian styling, and the trident emblem. Its headquarters were moved to Modena in 1940, and Modena remains the brand’s principal corporate and industrial home. The Maserati brothers had been involved in automobile engineering and racing before founding their own marque. Alfieri, Bindo, and Ernesto worked on Grand Prix cars for Diatto, while the wider family developed expertise in engines, chassis, and competition preparation. Maserati’s early racing identity was established by victories including the 1926 Targa Florio. The company subsequently built four-, six-, eight-, and sixteen-cylinder racing cars, and its competition history expanded across Grand Prix racing, sports-car events, and hill climbs. A Maserati 8CTF won the Indianapolis 500 in both 1939 and 1940, making Maserati the only Italian manufacturer to win that race in consecutive pre-war editions. Juan Manuel Fangio’s 1957 Formula One World Championship with Maserati’s 250F remains one of the brand’s best-known sporting achievements. The trident logo was designed by Mario Maserati and derived from the trident held by Neptune in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore. It linked the company to its birthplace while conveying power and authority. In 1937, the remaining Maserati brothers sold their shares to the Adolfo Orsi family, although they continued to contribute to engineering for a period. Under Orsi ownership, Maserati developed from a primarily competition-focused enterprise into a manufacturer of road-going grand tourers. The 1957 3500 GT was especially important: it was the company’s first series-produced, ground-up grand tourer and expanded annual production from very small racing-car volumes to several hundred vehicles. Later landmark cars included the 5000 GT, Sebring, Mistral, Quattroporte, and Ghibli. Maserati entered a period of technological and financial complexity after Citroën acquired control in 1968. The relationship produced the Maserati-powered Citroën SM and introduced hydraulic and front-wheel-drive technologies into Maserati projects, while the company also launched vehicles such as the Indy, Bora, Merak, and Khamsin. The 1973 oil crisis sharply reduced demand for large, fuel-intensive Italian performance cars. Citroën’s financial collapse placed Maserati into liquidation in 1975, but Italian public institutions and entrepreneur Alejandro de Tomaso arranged a rescue. During the de Tomaso era, Maserati pursued more accessible, higher-volume products, most notably the Biturbo family, a compact front-engine, rear-wheel-drive range using twin-turbocharged V6 engines. Ownership and strategic alliances continued to change. Chrysler acquired a minority stake in the 1980s and collaborated with Maserati on the Chrysler TC by Maserati. Fiat acquired control in 1993, Ferrari later took management control, and Maserati subsequently became part of Fiat’s premium-brand portfolio alongside Alfa Romeo and Ferrari. The modern revival included the 3200 GT, a new Quattroporte, the GranTurismo and GranCabrio, and renewed international distribution. Maserati entered the SUV market with the Levante, broadened its sedan range with the Ghibli, and returned to the super-sports-car category with the MC20. Since 2021, Maserati has been owned by Stellantis, the group formed through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA. The brand continues to operate as a global luxury marque, offering performance-oriented sedans, grand tourers, convertibles, SUVs, and high-performance limited or special-series vehicles. Its current identity combines Italian design and craftsmanship with electrification, advanced driver technology, and a continuing emphasis on motorsport-derived performa…

History

Maserati was founded in Bologna in 1914 by the Maserati brothers, whose earlier work included the construction and preparation of racing cars. The company’s first decades were dominated by competition engineering. A Maserati won the 1926 Targa Florio, and the marque developed racing engines with four, six, eight, and sixteen cylinders. The brothers’ engineering reputation helped establish Maserati as a specialist Italian racing constructor before it became a substantial road-car producer. The trident emblem was created by Mario Maserati. Its design refers to Neptune’s trident in Bologna and connects the brand’s visual identity to the city in which it was founded. After Alfieri Maserati died in 1932, Bindo, Ettore, and Ernesto continued the business. In 1937, the family sold its ownership to the Orsi family, while the Maserati brothers remained involved in technical work for a time. The Orsi family moved the headquarters to Modena in 1940. Maserati achieved major pre- and post-war racing results. Its 8CTF won the Indianapolis 500 in 1939 and 1940. During the Second World War, the company shifted to war-related component production. After the war it returned to racing and developed cars such as the 4CLT, A6 series, 8CLT, and A6GCS. In the 1950s, the 250F became a defining Grand Prix car; Juan Manuel Fangio used it to win the 1957 Formula One World Championship. Maserati also built sports-racing cars including the 200S, 300S, 350S, 450S, and the Birdcage Tipo 61. The 1957 Mille Miglia Guidizzolo tragedy led Maserati to withdraw from factory racing participation, although it continued supplying cars to private entrants. The company increasingly concentrated on road cars. The 3500 GT was a crucial commercial and engineering turning point, becoming Maserati’s first series-produced grand tourer and a foundation for later models. The 5000 GT, Sebring, Mistral, Quattroporte, and Ghibli established a broader portfolio of luxury coupes, convertibles, and sedans. Citroën acquired Maserati in 1968. The partnership produced the Maserati-powered Citroën SM and brought new hydraulic and front-wheel-drive technologies into Maserati development. Maserati launched the Indy, Bora, Merak, and Khamsin during this period, but the 1973 oil crisis severely damaged demand for powerful grand tourers. Citroën’s financial collapse resulted in a threatened liquidation in 1975. A rescue involving the Italian state holding company GEPI and Alejandro de Tomaso transferred control to de Tomaso. The de Tomaso period shifted Maserati toward more attainable, higher-volume cars. The Biturbo, introduced in the early 1980s, used a compact front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and twin-turbocharged V6 power. Its platform supported numerous coupes, sedans, and convertibles and sold in much greater numbers than many earlier Maserati ranges. Chrysler became a minority investor and collaborated on the Chrysler TC by Maserati. Fiat acquired Maserati in 1993, and Ferrari later assumed management control. This period brought renewed investment, improved manufacturing, and new products such as the 3200 GT and subsequent Quattroporte, GranTurismo, and GranCabrio generations. Maserati entered the SUV market with the Levante and added the Ghibli to its executive-sedan range. The MC20, introduced in 2020, represented a return to the super-sports-car segment and was followed by further product and electrification initiatives. Since 2021, Maserati has been a Stellantis brand. Its contemporary strategy combines luxury positioning, Italian design, performance engineering, global distribution, and battery-electric or electrified development while retaining internal-combustion offerings in selected markets and model generations.

2021
Maserati becomes a Stellantis brand
[4]Maserati becomes a Stellantis branden.wikipedia.org
The FCA–PSA merger places Maserati within Stellantis.
2020
MC20 is introduced
[2]Official Maserati websitemaserati.com
The MC20 marks a return to the super-sports-car category and introduces Maserati’s Nettuno powertrain technology.
2016
Levante expands Maserati into SUVs
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
The Levante becomes Maserati’s first SUV, extending the marque into a rapidly growing luxury segment.
1993
Fiat acquires Maserati
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
Maserati enters Fiat’s automotive portfolio and later benefits from Ferrari-led management and investment.
1981
Biturbo launches
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
The Biturbo introduces a compact twin-turbocharged V6 range that substantially increases Maserati’s sales volume.
1975
Maserati is rescued from liquidation
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
After Citroën’s crisis, GEPI and Alejandro de Tomaso arrange a transfer of control that keeps the company operating.
1968
Citroën acquires Maserati
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
Maserati comes under Citroën control, beginning a period of shared engineering and financial dependence.
1963
Quattroporte introduces Maserati’s sedan tradition
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
The first Quattroporte establishes a luxury four-door line that remains important to Maserati’s identity.
1957
3500 GT begins a road-car transformation
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
The 3500 GT becomes Maserati’s first series-produced grand tourer and a major commercial success.
1957
Fangio wins the Formula One World Championship
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
Juan Manuel Fangio wins the championship driving a Maserati 250F.
1940
Headquarters move to Modena
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
The Orsi family moves Maserati’s headquarters to Modena, which remains central to the brand.
1939
First Indianapolis 500 win
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
The Maserati 8CTF wins the Indianapolis 500, a result repeated the following year.
1937
Ownership passes to the Orsi family
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
The remaining Maserati brothers sell their shares to the Adolfo Orsi family while continuing technical involvement for a period.
1926
First major Targa Florio victory
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
A Maserati driven by Alfieri Maserati wins the Targa Florio, helping establish the new marque’s racing credentials.
1914
Maserati is founded in Bologna
[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
The Maserati brothers establish the company and begin developing a marque centered on automobile engineering and competition.

Products and positioning

Italian luxury-performance automotive brand combining expressive design, grand-touring comfort, engine performance, exclusivity, and racing heritage.

Grand tourer · 1957
3500 GT
Introduced in 1957, the 3500 GT was Maserati’s first series-produced, ground-up grand tourer. It translated the company’s racing knowledge into a more practical luxury coupe and helped move the business from very small-scale competition production toward sustainable road-car manufacturing. Its six-cylinder engine, Italian coachwork, and touring-oriented configuration established a template for later Maserati grand tourers.
Luxury sedan · 1963
Quattroporte
The Quattroporte is Maserati’s long-running luxury sports-sedan line. First launched in 1963, it combined four-door practicality with a high-performance engine and Italian grand-touring character. Successive generations have served as flagship sedans, adapting the formula to changing ownership structures, technologies, emissions requirements, and luxury-market expectations.
Coupe and sedan family · 1981
Biturbo
The Biturbo family was introduced in the early 1980s as a smaller and more accessible Maserati range. Its defining feature was a twin-turbocharged V6 mounted in a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform. The architecture supported numerous body styles and variants and became one of Maserati’s highest-volume product programs.
Grand tourer · 2007
GranTurismo
GranTurismo is Maserati’s flagship long-distance performance coupe line. It emphasizes high-speed touring, a spacious and carefully finished cabin, distinctive Italian styling, and strong engine performance. The related GranCabrio provides an open-top interpretation of the same grand-touring concept.
Executive sedan · 2013
Ghibli
The modern Ghibli is an executive sports sedan positioned below the Quattroporte. It gives Maserati a more compact entry into the luxury-sedan market while retaining rear-wheel-drive performance character, expressive styling, and a premium interior. The Ghibli name has also been used on earlier Maserati coupe generations.
Luxury SUV · 2016
Levante
The Levante is Maserati’s first SUV and extends the marque’s design, performance, and luxury positioning into the premium utility segment. It combines a raised body and practical cargo capacity with performance-oriented engines, an upscale cabin, and styling intended to distinguish it from mainstream SUVs.
Super sports car · 2020
MC20
The MC20 is a two-seat super sports car introduced as a statement of Maserati’s renewed performance ambitions. It uses a lightweight design philosophy and the Nettuno engine family, and it has been offered in coupe and related body configurations. The MC20 also supports Maserati’s connection between road-car development and motorsport-derived engineering.
Luxury SUV · 2022
Grecale
The Grecale is a smaller SUV positioned below the Levante. It broadens Maserati’s customer reach in the premium utility segment and supports the brand’s transition toward newer vehicle architectures, digital systems, and electrified powertrain options. Equipment and powertrain availability vary by market.

Controversies

2021
Maserati recalls 18 Levante vehicles in China
Maserati's China business filed a recall plan for 18 imported 2021 Levante vehicles. A defect in the low-pressure fuel delivery pipe sensor housing could cause fuel leakage, loss of power or, in extreme cases, fire. The company said it would replace the affected pipes free of charge.
Source

Brand decisions

2020
MC20 launchProduct launch
Background
Maserati sought to renew its performance identity with a dedicated modern sports car.
Action taken
The brand launched the MC20 with the Nettuno engine family and a lightweight super-sports-car concept.
Aftermath
The MC20 became a centerpiece of Maserati’s contemporary product and technology strategy.
Source
1975
Rescue under GEPI and Alejandro de TomasoStrategy
Background
Citroën’s financial distress placed Maserati into liquidation and threatened jobs at the Modena factory.
Action taken
An arrangement involving the Italian state holding company GEPI and Alejandro de Tomaso transferred ownership and preserved operations.
Aftermath
Maserati pursued more accessible products and later developed the high-volume Biturbo family.
Source
1968
Citroën acquisitionM&A
Background
Maserati required stronger financial support and had developed an engineering relationship with Citroën.
Action taken
Citroën acquired control and integrated Maserati expertise into projects including the SM.
Aftermath
The relationship produced technical cross-pollination but ended amid the financial crisis that led to Citroën’s bankruptcy.
Source
1957
Shift from factory racing toward road-going grand tourersStrategy
Background
After the 1957 Mille Miglia tragedy, Maserati ended factory participation in major racing while continuing to support private entrants.
Action taken
The company placed greater emphasis on road cars, with the 3500 GT becoming the central commercial program.
Aftermath
The strategy helped Maserati increase production and establish a durable luxury-grand-touring business.
Source

Recent events

2022
Maserati expands its range with the Grecale SUV[2]Official Maserati websitemaserati.com
Product launch
The Grecale broadened Maserati’s SUV presence below the Levante and became part of the brand’s newer product-generation strategy.
2021
Maserati becomes part of Stellantis[1]Maseratien.wikipedia.org
M&A
The completion of the FCA–PSA merger placed Maserati within Stellantis, the newly created global automotive group.
2020
Maserati presents the MC20 super sports car[2]Official Maserati websitemaserati.com
Product launch · Product generation
The MC20 marked Maserati’s return to the high-performance two-seat sports-car segment and introduced the brand’s Nettuno engine family.