Italian automaker Maserati is doubling down on its roots and letting the world know that its vehicles will continue to be 100% designed, developed, and manufactured in Italy. That said, some of those Maserati vehicles in the pipeline, particularly the 100% electric ones, continue to face development hurdles. Meanwhile, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is in a battle with the Italian government over EV sales support.
Maserati currently operates as the only luxury brand under the Stellantis umbrella and has a 109-year history in automotive development in Italy – a country with a fair share of household names in fast cars… and Fiat.
As a wholly-owned Stellantis marque, Maserati has joined the former’s “Dare Forward 2030” electrification plans, which entails all-new Maserati models arriving 100% electric under a new “Folgore” nomenclature.
In the past two years, we’ve seen Maserati introduce four all-electric models to the world: GranTurismo Folgore, Grecale Folgore, GranCabrio Folgore, and Quattroporte Folgore. However, the first two models above were slotted for 2023 launches and missed their target. GranTurismo Folgore deliveries are now underway, but while we await an all-electric Grecale SUV, Maserati shared news of more delays, this time involving the Quattroporte.
With additional all-electric models now in its pipeline, Maserati wants to reiterate its dedication to BEVs but, more importantly, its native Italy, where it intends to continue to build them, despite the quarrels its parent company’s CEO is stirring up with the local government regarding tax incentives.
The all-electric GranTurismo Folgore / Source: Maserati
Maserati vows to go electric and remain 100% Italian
Via press release today, Maserati confirmed that while its vehicle powertrains are shifting to electric, it is business as usual for its development and production footprints in Italy, with Modena, its home for over 80 years, remaining the “beating heart” of its operations. Per Maserati CEO Davide Grasso:
Driven by our Modena heart, we are going full throttle to lead change on electrification, with two of our iconic models already available for purchase in their 100% electric versions, and another on the way this year. We will offer our preferred customers the most powerful Maseratis ever, pushing the boundaries of driving pleasure to a new era. With our long-term strategic vision and plan, we want to make a mark in the luxury world with unique Italian manufacturing excellence, constantly pushing distinctive quality and building our future with a dedicated business model that guarantees our customers the best products that reflect the Trident’s values.
While Maserati’s CEO still has much love for Italy, parent company Stellantis’ CEO Carlos Tavares is in a bit of a quarrel in the country – particularly with its government over weak incentives. Aside from Maserati, Stellantis owns other marques and production operations in Italy, including Fiat.
Tavares continues to criticize the Italian government for spending less money than the rest of the EU in supporting EVs. During a recent visit to Stellantis’ van-making facility in central Italy, Tavares said the OEM has been asking the Italian government for the last nine months to support EV sales to help keep the lights on at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, where the 500e is built:
Italy is spending much less money than any other great European country to support EVs. The consequence is that we are losing manufacturing products in Italy that we could manufacture (…) We already wasted nine months of production, of additional production in Mirafiori.
According to Reuters, the Italian government appears to have heard the always polarizing Stellantis CEO and will present a new incentives strategy on February 1st, which is expected to be worth over 900 million euros.
Meanwhile, Maserati says its team of approximately 130 engineers and technicians will continue their work in Italy to help develop electric powertrains and “contribute to steering the brand to a higher luxury positioning.”
It appears Maserati has pushed the Quattroporte three years to 2028 and will prioritize an all-electric of the MC20 instead. Here’s the automaker’s current BEV pipeline:
GranTurismo Folgore – Deliveries underway
Grecale Folgore – Deliveres scheduled for Q2 2024
GranCabrio Folgore – Launch expected in 2024
MC20 Folgore – 2025
Large E-UV BEV – 2027
Quattroporte Folgore – 2028 (originally 2025)
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Genesis is preparing to shake things up with its most luxurious SUV yet, the GV90. Thanks to a new patent filing, we are getting a detailed look at how its Rolls-Royce-style coach doors will work.
New patent reveals Genesis GV90 coach door system
When Genesis first unveiled the full-size SUV at the NY Auto Show last March, it wasn’t the stunning design or advanced tech that caught everyone’s attention. It was the coach doors.
Although we were worried it wouldn’t make it to the production model, like many concepts, the Genesis GV90 will be offered with coach doors.
The ultra-luxe electric SUV was first caught with coach doors earlier this year on a car carrier in South Korea. Just last month, the GV90 was spotted in California with a hinge at the rear to open the coach doors.
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After several new patents were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for new door latching devices, we are getting a sneak peek at how they are expected to work.
The patents, titled “Cinching Device For Door Latches in Vehicle,” and “Door Latch Device for Vehicles,” give a pretty detailed explanation of how the Genesis GV90’s coach doors will operate. The “Door Latch Device” uses a door striker on the lower side of the door, which is opened or closed by a hinge unit.
Unlike traditional doors, which use the B-pillar for support, the device is attached directly to the door itself, allowing for hinge-like movement.
The cinching device works in a similar way. It’s also attached to the door and part of the vehicle. However, unlike most of its kind, Genesis found a way to use a single cinching device to control multiple units. Again, the device is used for B-pillarless doors that swing open.
Genesis already said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles. The patent reveals a glimpse into how the luxury automaker could make it a reality.
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)
Although the Genesis GV90 is expected to be offered with coach doors, they will likely not be standard. Other variants, with traditional door handles, have also been spotted testing in the US and South Korea.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in South Korea. The flagship Genesis SUV is scheduled to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which the company said will “provide 50% improvement in driving range.” It will also be loaded with the latest technology, software, connectivity, and Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities.
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the launch of the Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more.
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The new electric Mercedes CLA (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
July EV sales looked strong on the surface, but the looming impact of tariffs and the end of EV tax credits reveal a more complicated picture, according to Cars.com’s new Industry Insights report.
New-vehicle sales jumped 6.6% year-over-year, even as dealer inventory fell for the first time since 2022. Much of the spike came from a “buy now” mindset as shoppers raced to lock in deals before tariffs and policy changes drive prices higher. For EVs in particular, the looming end of the federal $7,500 tax credit on September 30 added another layer of urgency.
EV inventory growth is slowing – for now
Shoppers technically have more EV options than ever, with 75 models on the market – a 27% jump from last year. But new EV inventory growth has slowed to just 9% year-over-year, the lowest since before the Inflation Reduction Act revived federal incentives. Analysts expect another wave of buying before the tax credit vanishes, but after that, higher prices could cool demand, especially with most new EVs still priced in the premium-to-luxury bracket.
Tariffs set to push prices higher
Automakers absorbed an estimated $12 billion in tariff costs in the second quarter alone to keep sticker prices steady. That’s not sustainable, and once those costs flow into 2026 models, EV buyers could be facing thousands more on the same car.
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At current 25% tariff levels, the average new-vehicle price could jump from $48,000 to $54,400 – about $6,400 more. Even if trade deals trim tariffs to 15%, buyers would still see increases of more than $4,000. That’s a huge gap compared to household incomes, which grew only 1% last year.
The used EV market is heating up
While new EV prices are bracing for impact, the used EV market is gaining momentum. Inventory is up 33% year-over-year, while average prices dipped 2% to $36,000. Affordable used EVs under $25,000 – including the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Chevy Bolt EV – are selling 20% faster than average. Many also qualify for the $4,000 used-EV tax credit, which, like the new EV credit, ends September 30.
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