FCA Plans New Production Cut at Maserati Plant

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV will again suspend production of Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte high-performance luxury cars in Turin because of slow sales.

FISMIC, the plant’s union, says all 1,900 workers at the facility will be put on paid home leave between March 17 and April 4, Reuters reports. FCA has declined to comment.

The company also idled operations at the factory for a week last November and again for three weeks in January-February. Maserati had hoped the new €63,000 ($70,000) Ghibli would hike sales to a record 50,000 units in 2015.

The union estimates the cutbacks so far have reduced output 30% compared with the same period in 2015. Maserati’s sales last year dropped 11%, primarily because of lower demand for the $107,000 Quattroporte in China and the U.S., according to Reuters.