The future of Maserati could be Chinese
Maserati has a long and proud history of creating outstanding cars closely tied to Italian heritage. However, according to new reports, some future Maserati models may have a stronger connection to China than to Italy.
According to the Chinese publication Yunjian Insight, Maserati and Stellantis are in talks with Huawei and JAC to create new energy-efficient vehicles (electric cars) for the Maserati brand. The partnership could operate along the lines of Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, which includes five separate car brands, each building its own vehicles using Huawei technology.
Division of roles in the new partnership
Yunjian Insight reports that Huawei will develop key automotive technologies and manage planning, while JAC will be responsible for research, development, and production. So what will Maserati do? It will be responsible for car design and brand approval. Such news would likely make the three brothers who founded Maserati in 1914 turn in their graves.
Not Stellantis’s first experience with China
This would not be Stellantis’s first experience with a Chinese partner. The group already owns a 21% stake in Leapmotor, acquired in 2023, and has just expanded that deal so that the Chinese EV manufacturer can begin building a model for the European market in 2028. A co-developed electric SUV under the Opel brand is also part of the new agreement, with production to be set up at Stellantis’s plant in Zaragoza, Spain. If the Maserati negotiations are successful, it will be a similar arrangement, but with a more premium brand.
Rebranding or re-engineering?
Two models are reportedly in the early planning stages. The first will be sold in China under the Maextro brand, while the second will be a rebadged or re-engineered version for international markets under the Maserati badge. Negotiations are reportedly ongoing since early 2025, and preliminary research and development are already underway.
Critical sales situation
While Maserati’s collaboration with Chinese brands may seem unexpected, it could be the lifeline the brand so desperately needs. Last year, Maserati sold only 11,127 cars, a 58% decrease compared to 2024. Sales have also dropped significantly compared to the 2017 peak, when approximately 49,000 units were sold. That same year, Maserati sold 14,498 cars in China. For comparison, only slightly more than 1,000 units were sold in China last year.
What will the new model look like?
What form these new cars will take remains a matter of speculation. SUVs, sedans, sports cars—the report does not mention this. However, it is suggested that whatever they are, the most Italian thing about them might be the badge on the trunk lid.
We have reached out to Maserati for comment and will update this story if we receive a response.
This news underscores a radical change in strategy for the Italian brand, which is trying to survive amid fierce competition in the electric vehicle market. Collaboration with Huawei and JAC could allow Maserati to quickly gain access to the advanced technologies and production capabilities needed to create competitive electric cars. However, such a move raises questions about preserving brand identity and heritage, as “Italianness” has always been a key part of Maserati’s appeal. For Stellantis, this is also part of a broader strategy to use Chinese partnerships to accelerate the electrification of its brands, as already tested with Leapmotor and Opel.