Who doesn't know it: the Maserati car brand. Now world-famous, this company also started out small. What began as a small business run by speed junkies for speed junkies expanded rapidly over the years and became a world-famous car brand. Now, in 2019, this same car brand is celebrating its 105th anniversary. Standing still means going backwards. That is why the company is bringing the current era to a close and embarking on a new era in the mobile future.
From speed junkies for speed junkies
The brand with the trident is celebrating its roots and more than one hundred years of history not only with a major event in May 2020, but also with a modernization of the main plant in Modena. In fact, it was 105 years ago that Alfieri Maserati, in a joint effort with his brothers Ettore and Ernesto, laid the foundation stone for "Alfieri Maserati" in the heart of Bologna, at Via de'Pepoli 1A.
The company was founded on December 1, 1914, but the workshop did not officially open for business until December 14. The Maserati brothers were passionate about design and loved speed. Despite all their business obligations, they did not miss the opportunity to take the wheel of a racing car themselves. The design of the famous company logo with the trident is thanks to another brother, Mario. He was inspired by the Neptune Fountain in the center of Bologna. After the death of founder Alfieri in 1932, his brother Bindo joined Officine Maserati.
First race, first place
The first car to bear the trident as a trademark was built in 1926. It was the Tipo 26, a racing car that celebrated its premiere at the Targa Florio in the same year and immediately took first place in the 1.5-liter class with Alfieri Maserati at the wheel. Numerous other successes followed, including two consecutive victories at the Indianapolis 500 (1939 and 1940), four consecutive victories at the Targa Florio (1937, 1938, 1939 and 1940), nine victories in Formula 1 and the title win in the Formula 1 World Championship with Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957.
Not so long ago, Maserati returned to winning ways. Between 2005 and 2010, the MC12 won the FIA GT championship title a total of six times. This is the highest racing class for Gran Turismo racing cars from series production.
The world's most famous brand from Modena
Maserati remained at its headquarters in Bologna until 1939, but had since moved to Pontevecchio. It was only when Maserati was taken over by the Orsi family at the end of September 1939 that work began on relocating the car manufacturer to Modena, where the Orsis ran their company. From then on, the new vehicles were to be built here. At the same time, investments were made in research and innovation. All this made Maserati the world's most famous brand from Modena.
An era comes to an end - and a new one begins
January 1, 1940 marked the official opening of the production facility in Viale Ciro Menotti, where it is still located today.
The year 1947 marked the end of an era for Maserati and the beginning of a new one. The Maserati brothers retired from the company. At the same time, the brand's first road-going vehicle, the A6 1500, was launched on the market.
Another milestone in Maserati's history followed in 1963 with the first Quattroporte. At the same time, the company discovered a completely new, previously non-existent market segment: luxury saloons equipped with the technology and performance of a racing car.
Biturbo, Spyder, 3200 GT, ...
After a brief period of ownership by Citroën (1967-1975), which was characterized by the introduction of modern, industrial production processes, Alejandro de Tomaso took over the company (1976-1993). During this period, the Modena plant developed a vehicle that would become one of the brand's best-selling and best-known models: the Biturbo. An important new chapter in Maserati's history was the takeover by Fiat in 1993, as a result of which Ferrari took control in September 1997. These years are characterized by significant changes. The 3200 GT was developed (1998). This was followed by the Spyder (2001), which marked an important return to the US market. After the separation from Ferrari in 2005, the Fiat Group once again took sole control of Maserati. 2007 was a particularly successful year, with the new Quattroporte (5th generation) with automatic transmission making its debut at the Detroit Motor Show, paving the way for important new markets, particularly in the USA, Japan and the Middle East. In the same year, the GranTurismo was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, a milestone in the history of the brand.
The well-known Ghibli
In 2009, it was time for the GranCabrio, which was followed by other models that significantly expanded the range: the new Quattroporte (now in its 6th generation and presented at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show), the Ghibli (2013 Shanghai Motor Show) and finally the Levante (2016 Geneva Motor Show), the first Maserati SUV.
After more than a century, the factory in Modena still produces exceptional vehicles that are sold in more than 70 countries. They are all characterized by their luxury, elegance, style, performance and quality. And it is precisely these characteristics that have made Maserati an icon of Italian automotive art worldwide. Preparations are currently in full swing at the historic plant in Viale Ciro Menotti for the new sports car, a technical innovation of superlatives, which will go into production in 2020. To this end, the production lines are currently undergoing extensive modernization, partly to build a new electric version. A new paint shop has also been added and is already up and running. With the strength that Maserati has gained from its more than one hundred years of history, the company is entering a new era. Past and future will come together in May 2020, when the brand presents the mobility of tomorrow to the world.
Maserati's history in numbers
- 1914: Foundation of "Alfieri Maserati" on December 1
- 1926: Production of the Tipo 26, the first car with a trident as a trademark
- 1939: Maserati moves to Modena
- 2001: Return to the US market, which is important for Maserati
- 2013: Opening of the plant in Avv. Giovanni Agnelli (AGAP) plant in Grugliasco (Turin) on January 30
- 2016: The 100,000th vehicle is produced at the Avv. Giovanni Agnelli (AGAP), Grugliasco (Turin) from the production line
- 2016: Start of production for the Maserati Levante in Mirafiori (Turin)
- 2019: At the Avv. Giovanni Agnelli (AGAP) plant, Grugliasco (Turin), the 100,000th Ghibli is produced.
Further information on the brand
Further information about the brand and the models can be found on the official Maserati website.
