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Marchionne wants Maserati to be FCA's new Ferrari

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is gearing up to spin Ferrari, its most profitable brand, off into another company, and float its stock on the open market. That means it's going to need another profit-driver to generate income for the rest of the group. And according to its chief executive Sergio Marchionne, that mantle will soon be picked up by Maserati. FCA is betting big on Maserati, which has long stood as a niche marque with a limited array of models and low sales numbers. In addition to the recently introduced Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans – now crucially offered with diesels and all-wheel drive – Maserati is preparing to roll out the Levante crossover that promises to do for the Modenese marque what the Cayenne did for Porsche. Due in part to the success of its first crossover, Porsche turned itself from a niche sports car manufacturer into an immensely profitable automaker that was (nearly) capable of buying out the entire Volkswagen Group. Maserati's resurgence is part of a two-pronged assault FCA is plotting against its German rivals. Maserati will be charged with taking on the higher end of the Mercedes, BMW, and Audi ranges (from the E-Class, 5 Series and A6 upwards). Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo will go after the lower end of the luxury spectrum with the new Giulia (aimed at the C-Class, 3 Series and A4) and other models to follow. FCA aims to turn Maserati and Alfa Romeo (along with Jeep) into global brands, broadening the narrow geographical appeal they have held until now. In order to generate enough profit to support the rest of the group as Ferrari has, Maserati will need to find a way to increase its profit margins. Bloomberg reports that Ferraris command a 13-percent profit margin, and while the ten percent that Maseratis list for is still triple that of the FCA average, slow sales are forcing some dealers to offer deep incentives that cut significantly into that margin. Related Video:

Maserati recalls 135 GranTurismos over door latches

Maserati issued a recall for faulty door latches on the GranTurismo. Only 135 examples are affected, though the GranTurismo is a low-volume product. The problem with the door latches is that they may not have been properly heat-treated, which means that in the event of a crash, the door could swing open. All of the affected GranTurismos (both coupes and convertibles) are from the 2016 model year and were produced between June 24, 2015, and September 2, 2015. While Maserati's sales figures (thanks largely to the introduction of newer models) continue to climb, the GranTurismo accounts for only a small portion of the company's overall production. Last year the company sold an all-time high of 36,500 units around the world, of which only 3,500 (or less than one tenth) were from the GranTurismo line - which remains the oldest in the Maserati lineup. Since introducing the GranTurismo in 2007, the Modenese automaker has rolled out the Ghibli, replaced the Quattroporte, and is preparing to delve into the SUV market with the forthcoming Levante. A new two-door model is expected to arrive in the form of the Alfieri, which won't replace the GranTurismo, per se, but we wouldn't expect the GranTurismo to stick around for long after the Alfieri comes along. RECALL Subject : Passenger Side Door Latch Not Heat Treated Report Receipt Date: NOV 10, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V744000 Component(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Potential Number of Units Affected: 135 Manufacturer: Maserati North America, Inc. SUMMARY: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain model year 2016 GranTurismo and GranTurismo Convertibles manufactured June 24, 2015, to September 2, 2015. The affected vehicles were built with passenger side door latch components that were not heat treated. CONSEQUENCE: If the door latch was not heat treated, in the event of a crash, the door latch may fail allowing the door to open, increasing the risk of injury. REMEDY: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side door latch assembly, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2015. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-201-816-2600. Maserati's number for this recall is 292. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Related Video:

Alfa Romeo to gun for Jag F-Type with 6C

It has taken Alfa Romeo years of promises to finally, truly return to the US with the 4C sports coupe and its initial 86-dealer network. We already know that the sporty Italian brand has more models on the way in near future, with a midsize sedan, crossovers and more headed our way according to the company's five-year plan. Now, the latest rumor from an unnamed source speaking to Auto Express, claims that Alfa has another, more powerful sports car on the slate to take on an even higher rung of performance vehicles, cars like the Jaguar F-Type. The so-called Alfa Romeo 6C would launch as a coupe with the twin-turbocharged V6 engine from Maserati Ghibli (which makes 404 horsepower in that application) and a convertible would join the lineup later. The Alfa's platform would come directly from the Maserati Alfieri, which is supposed to launch in 2016. In terms of styling, the insider describes the new coupe as closer to the earlier 8C Competizione than the 4C. That suggests a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, plenty of gorgeous curves and the brand's long-lived shield grille flanked by LED headlights up front. Auto Express' source claims a 2017 launch date for the new range, and that could fit in Alfa's already-announced product plan. In its five-year forecast, the company said a specialty car would join the ranks from 2016-2018. At the time, we assumed this would be the sibling to the next-gen Mazda MX-5 Miata. However, the Italian end of the project was more recently reported to be in doubt, with thoughts that the codeveloped model may end up wearing a Fiat badge. The 6C could be an interesting alternative if the project comes to fruition. Featured Gallery 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C: First Drive View 43 Photos News Source: Auto ExpressImage Credit: Copyright 2014 Seyth Miersma / AOL Design/Style Rumormill Alfa Romeo Maserati Coupe Performance