Looks like the merger between FCA and PSA is approved, bringing Maserati into a parent company that includes Citroen. Unfortunately it may be on an accelerated program towards the same result as the last time. Apparently Most of Alfa’s future products have been dropped. Can Maserati be far behind? Both are niche brands that won’t sell in the volume needed for FCA/PSA to commit the required resources. https://www.quattroruote.it/news/industria-finanza/2019/10/31/alfa_romeo_dai_programmi_spariscono_sportive_l_e_suv_e_la_giulietta.html
I would not be that pessimistic, Tavares (PSA President) is a real enthusiast and I don't see him sinking Alfa or Maserati. This merger will be good for integration and parts sharing, cost control. Don't forget that the last time everything was devastatingly derailed by the october 1973 oil crisis due to the Kippur war and Opec retaliation by massive fuel price increase which had a tsunami effect on the economy and the GT/sports car market killing sales and driving Maserati deep into the red. No one could have seen that coming. The concern for now is this idea of the future HQ being outside of France which our government does not like so that has to be sorted one way or another. But PSA is free to act whereas Renault is government controlled which is why those negotiations failed a few months ago and very quickly. It would be nice to see a new version of Citroen SM Maserati but of course that is a pipe dream alas.
Probably because they're the only ones desperate enough as of right now to merge with anyone. I know they have a presence in Europe and they might also have a presence in South America but besides that they're pretty useless as far as I know. The big names (VW, Toyota, etc.) don't need to merge with anyone and don't have much too gain for it. I would put GM and Ford in that category too but it seems they have some issues.
In terms of creativity, innovation, and being on top of the game in the GT-market, the Citroen years were probably Maserati's finest period....
Being half Swedish half French I will confirm what Bob stated: the current Bugatti company, whilst physically based in France is a 100 per cent German thing. Koenigsegg in Sweden with a far smaller budget BUT a far smarter team is miles ahead, in performance but more importantly in innovative thinking the Jesko is by far the smartest, most advanced hypercar and while I am not normally interested in modern cars I must say I am very proud of that
Always loved Ettore Bugatti, an Italian that built cars in occupied Germany, and “identified” himself as French!
