Interview Roland Staehler, Managing Director D-A-CH Maserati: The customer has the choice

With the electric GranCabrio Folgore, Maserati is first worldwide. Although currently, a combination of convertible and electric is quite a difficult mix...

Staehler: Naturally, both segments were more popular individually at one time. I am convinced that the megatrend towards electric vehicles will continue. And there will always be convertibles! Especially in this price segment: A four-seater electric convertible with 800-volt technology, over 700 HP, and a top speed of 325 km/h has not been available until now! And as mentioned, in this segment, the combination of convertible and electric drive truly promises a unique driving experience, especially since you sit as low as in the combustion engine. The approach with the GranTurismo and GranCabrio Folgore was this: We built the Maserati driving experience, independent of the drive. This led to the unique T-Bone-like batteries in the Folgore sports cars, which we installed between the passengers, in front of, and behind them. This places the center of gravity even more in the center of the vehicle than in the combustion engine, which also helps the driving dynamics.

But it is still heavier?

Staehler: It is, and professionals behind the wheel will feel the differences – in both drive types, but the driving experience remains a dream regardless! You have the choice.

That's why the combustion engines remain in the program. What share of the drive mix do you expect the electric models to have?

Staehler (smiling): This is currently difficult to say and actually varies from month to month and from market to market. So: Until recently, when electromobility was not being downplayed everywhere, we would have easily expected 25 percent plus X worldwide. Now, we are looking at a minimum of fifteen percent. But in countries like France or Austria, where dramatic CO2 taxes have been introduced, the Folgore models are likely to do very well, so their share in these markets could exceed 50 percent. But even in the UK, the trend towards the electric model as an exciting alternative continues. Therefore, I can imagine a fairly high take-rate for the GranCabrio Folgore: For example, quietly gliding along a boulevard in a metropolis – that certainly has its appeal.

A higher share for the GranCabrio than for the Gran Turismo Folgore?

Staehler: Absolutely! Both have enough power, but this quiet gliding fits perfectly with open-top driving, which is why I can imagine a higher electric share in this drive mix.

With the discontinuation of the Ghibli, Quattroporte, and Levante, Maserati almost returns to being a pure sports car manufacturer – thus the Grecale has to sell even better?

Staehler: It does – it is clearly our volume model and falls into a completely different price segment. We are currently starting at 84,624 euros, and with the Grecale Folgore at 124,301 euros, we are also in the higher fleet and business segment. And since there are now stringent CO2 regulations everywhere, the Grecale Folgore plays into our hands. Many Levante customers can surely be convinced, and then the successor comes in 2027 and the new Quattroporte in 2028.