Fiat Chrysler Automobile NV’s premium Maserati brand expects to see sales in China increase as much as 47 percent this year, the company’s CEO stated.
Reid Bigland informed that China sales of the high-end Italian brand would be 17,000 to 18,000 automobiles, from 12,250 in 2016. He was talking with press reporters at Shanghai Motor Show.
Bigland said the company’s growth prospects in China were not tied to the general Chinese automobile market, which numerous in the market anticipate to slow this year as tax incentives on small-engine cars are decreased.
“Whether the marketplace is going to be up or down 7 or 8 percent, we’re not playing in that arena,” he stated, adding rising demand from younger customers for luxury experiences, convenience and performance was behind the projection.
He added Maserati was predicting global sales of 55,000 vehicles this year, versus 42,000 in last year.
In October Fiat Chrysler pushed up its full-year projection, partially on the back of strong profit at Maserati, assisted by the release of its first sport utility vehicle, the Levante.
