Three hundred and eighty miles north of Naples, Italy is the town of Modena, home of the Maserati manufacturing center. Modena has served as host to the Maserati brand since 1940 and from the exterior it appears that very little has changed at the plant. The old brick buildings look like, well old brick buildings. The new buildings, like the four story new car parking lot, also look like old brick buildings, intentionally. But when you step inside those old brick buildings it’s like stepping into a new dimension.
It starts in the reception area that features an elevated big “blue loop” that mimics the Maserati oval and serves as a display stand for every model Maserati builds. The walls are covered in Maserati memorabilia from the past 100 years and there is even a retail shop that offers up Maserati gear. This reception area is the finest Maserati showroom you will ever see.
When you step into the assembly area your first impression will be one of light and almost clinical cleanliness. It’s an assembly line facility and it sounds like an assembly line facility (except for the Italian pop music that is piped in throughout the facility) but it looks like a lab from the future. The old brick exterior is hiding a highly advanced industrial interior.
Maserati Assembly-Part Man, Part Machine, Part Magic
The assembly process is an orchestrated blend of old world craftsmanship, skilled automotive technicians, robotic assistance and computerized management. Make no mistake, it is the talented Italians who build these beauties the robotics and computerized logistics just make the job easier for them.
The most prominent feature of the assembly lines is the overhead robotic cradles that lift, move and lower the Maserati shells down the line. The cradles can tilt the shells up to 900 to make access easier and to provide for more efficient installation of parts. Each model has its own line but they all use the same “25 minute” task method. The assembly process is broken down into tasks that can be accomplished in 25 minutes or less. Each task pad is manned by the craftsmen and technicians for that particular task and the parts required for that individual vehicle are sorted and delivered by computer.
When 25 minutes are up the cradle lifts the vehicle and moves it to the next pad. The end result is that every model that Maserati makes, the GranTurismo, the all new Ghibli and the flagship Quattroporte roll off the assembly line every 25 minutes. What magic is involved you ask? When that twin turbocharged V6 or V8 engine is started and that banshee wail comes out of the exhaust pipes you’ll have your answer. Once the cars come off the line they begin a series of exhaustive tests to ensure each one is ready for delivery.
Fastest Growing Brand In North America
There’s a reason that Maserati wants a new car every 25 minutes. Maserati has become the fastest growing brand in the U.S, and the introduction of the new Ghibli ensures that trend will continue. Modena is some 5,094 miles from that “other” Naples, the one we call home, so there is an issue of getting enough Maseratis to dealers to keep up with demand.
At Naples Luxury Imports we are lucky enough to have a good inventory of GranTurismos, Quattroportes and Ghiblis but if you live in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs or Naples and you’re interested in the unique driving experience that Maserati provides we encourage you to browse our inventory and then visit us while we still have a great choice of vehicles. Contact us to arrange a test drive. We’ll guarantee you’ll enjoy your time behind a Maserati wheel.
Schedule your service appointment today to have us inspect your luxury vehicle tires.
Written By: Jason Reidel
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