PDA

View Full Version : Audi and Maserati form technical and marketing alliance



Erik
September 10th, 2003, 18:38
Four Rings To Rule Them All! :D

http://www.just-auto.com/news_detail.asp?art=42070
http://motoring.iafrica.com/newsbriefs/269387.htm

Volkswagen’s Audi unit and Ferrari's Maserati brand have agreed on a technical and marketing cooperation, Reuters reported.

The report said the two car makers will look to share parts, use the same dealerships in some countries and combine their financial services activities, according to Ferrari-Maserati chairman Luca di Montezemolo and VW chief executive Bernd Pischetsrieder speaking at the Frankfurt motor show.

Reuters noted that the move was expected in part as Audi and Maserati said late last year they were in talks about a possible technical cooperation.

"There are technologies which we have that are interesting for Maserati and there are also interesting possibilities for the VW group," Pischetsrieder said, according to Reuters.


The companies said they might share their expertise in high-power diesel engines, joint axles and transmissions, the report added.

"I think we will both gain more experience and we are looking to jointly source technology and components," Pischetsrieder reportedly told a news conference.

According to Reuters, Montezemolo said Maserati's Kubang SUV might be an activity on which Maserati and Audi would cooperate and repeated his company would decide by the end of the year on whether to build the Kubang, which it showed at the Detroit motor show in January.

When asked if VW might be interested in taking a stake in Ferrari, Pischetsrieder replied: "This is a technical cooperation and that is not a particularly good reason for becoming a shareholder," Reuters said.