Maserati will reportedly partner with Maextro, the brand jointly developed by Huawei and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp (JAC), to pursue localized production in China, using different brands for domestic and overseas sales.

The project, called "Maserati Design," is a 3-way collaboration involving Huawei, JAC and Maserati's parent company Stellantis, Yicai reported on Monday.

The new car's exterior design has been finalized, with further progress toward mass production planned for the fourth quarter of 2027, according to the report. No firm production or delivery date has been disclosed.

Given issues surrounding Maserati's production qualifications in China, the project will involve manufacturing by JAC and technology support from Huawei, Yicai said, citing a person familiar with the matter.

The partnership will follow separate paths for China and overseas markets. Vehicles will be sold through Maextro domestically and carry Maserati badges overseas, according to the report.

The arrangement would allow Maserati to draw on its Chinese partners' manufacturing and technology resources to advance the vehicle project, while giving Maextro access to the Italian luxury brand's design expertise.

The report adds detail to the previously disclosed interest in a 3-way partnership. JAC confirmed in a September 30 filing that it had been in discussions with Huawei and Stellantis about potential cooperation.

However, JAC said at the time that the scope and structure of the cooperation had not been determined. No legally binding definitive agreement had been signed as of the filing, and significant uncertainty remained over whether the partnership would proceed.

Local media outlet Yunjian Insight reported in May that the parties were in talks to jointly develop Maserati-branded new energy vehicles (NEVs), with plans to use different brands in China and overseas.

Source link