Maserati Extends Holiday Shutdown as Sales Slow

Fiat Chrysler Automobile NV’s Maserati unit is expanding its holiday production suspension to align inventories with a sudden softening in demand for the brand’s luxury vehicles.

Italian unions tell Automotive News Europe that Maserati’s car plant in Grugliasco, which began its year-end shutdown on Dec. 15, won’t resume production until Jan. 15, one week longer than last year.

Output of the new Levante crossover vehicle at Maserati’s Mirafiori factory will be suspended between Dec. 20 and Jan. 15. Production last year was halted for only one day in addition normal holidays and weekends. Maserati also suspended Levante production for more than three weeks in October.

Maserati’s global sales jumped 40% to 35,500 vehicles through the first three quarters of 2017, according to ANE. But it says sales in October-November fell 4% in Europe and 15% in the U.S.

Demand also has cooled in China, reportedly because of new rules that prohibit carmakers from forcing vehicles into dealer inventories. LMC Automotive estimates that Maserati production in the fourth quarter will plunge 25% to 12,200 units, including a 44% drop to 5,200 for the Levante.

Union sources tell ANE they aren’t sure whether the downturn reflects a temporary condition or a longer-lasting shift in the global marketplace.