Robert Besser
14 Mar 2025, 22:37 GMT+10
MILAN, Italy: Maserati has scrapped plans for an electric version of its MC20 sports car, citing low expected demand for the high-performance electric vehicle.
The decision marks a shift in strategy for the Stellantis-owned luxury brand, which has been struggling with declining sales.
Initially set to debut this year, the MC20 Folgore will no longer be produced due to weak commercial prospects, a Maserati spokesperson confirmed in an emailed statement.
"According to market research, MC20 customers prefer powerful petrol engines and are not ready to switch to BEV (battery electric vehicles) in the foreseeable future," the spokesperson said.
Launched in 2020, the 630-horsepower MC20 is built in Maserati's hometown of Modena, northern Italy. Its starting price is around 240,000 euros (US$262,000).
The announcement follows Stellantis' meeting with unions in November, during which the company declined to confirm previously announced electrification plans for Maserati. The brand's sales plummeted to just 11,300 vehicles last year, down from 26,600 in 2023, leading to an adjusted operating loss of 260 million euros ($284 million).
While competitors like Ferrari plan to launch their first EV in October and Lamborghini expects its debut model in 2029, Maserati currently offers electric versions of the GranTurismo coupe, GranCabrio convertible, and Grecale SUV.
Apart from the GT2 Stradale, a variant of the MC20 expected in the first quarter, Maserati has no new model launches scheduled. Stellantis is now reassessing the brand's business plan after putting it on hold last year.
Get a daily dose of Japan Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Japan Herald.
More InformationBEIJING, China: China has announced new tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products in retaliation for Canada's recent duties...
MANILA, Philippines - In a dramatic move, the International Criminal Court on Tuesday arrested the former president of the Philippines,...
BENTONVILLE, Arkansas: Walmart is pressuring some Chinese suppliers to cut prices in response to President Donald Trump's imposed U.S....
BEIJING, China: China has set an economic growth target of around five percent for 2025, signaling efforts to stabilize the economy...
(250314) -- BEIJING, March 14, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Lorenzo Previtali (1st L) of Italy falls during the men's 5000m relay quarterfinal...
BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Tong Ren Tang, a China time-honored brand first founded in 1669 in Beijing, had served traditional Chinese...
MILAN, Italy: Maserati has scrapped plans for an electric version of its MC20 sports car, citing low expected demand for the high-performance...
BERLIN, Germany: Volkswagen is set to cut 1,600 jobs at its Cariad software division by the end of the year, affecting nearly 30 percent...
The principal terminal, Terminal 1, at Israel's largest airport will reopen at the end of this month, having largely been closed since...
NEW YORK, New York - The knee-jerk introduction of trade tariffs by President Donald Trump continues to rattle markets with all the...
FRANKFURT, Germany: Ford announced this week that it will inject up to $4.8 billion into its struggling German unit to stabilize its...
SEATTLE, Washington: Boeing has revamped its employee incentive plan, tying annual bonuses for more than 100,000 workers to overall...