The Maserati car company has a rich history dating back to 1914 when it was founded in Bologna, Italy by Alfieri Maserati and his brothers Ettore and Ernesto. The company started as a small garage that specialized in repairing and modifying cars. However, the Maserati brothers had a passion for racing and soon began building their own race cars.
In 1926, the Maserati brothers moved their company to Modena, Italy and began producing their own cars under the name Maserati. Their first car, the Tipo 26, was a success on the racing circuit and helped establish the Maserati brand as a serious contender in the racing world.
Over the years, the Maserati company changed ownership several times. In 1937, the company was sold to the Orsi family, known for their successful business ventures in the steel industry. Under the Orsi family’s ownership, Maserati continued to produce successful race cars and expanded into producing luxury cars for consumers.
In 1968, the French car company Citroen acquired a majority stake in Maserati. This partnership led to the development of the Maserati Bora, which was a successful luxury sports car that helped boost the company’s sales.
The partnership with Citroen was short-lived, and in 1975, Maserati was sold to Alejandro de Tomaso, an Argentinian entrepreneur who also owned the De Tomaso car company. Under de Tomaso’s ownership, Maserati continued to produce high-performance sports cars and expanded into producing luxury sedans.
In the 1990s, Maserati faced financial difficulties and was acquired by the Fiat Group. Fiat invested heavily in the company and helped modernize its production facilities. In 1997, Maserati introduced the 3200 GT, which was a successful luxury sports car that helped revive the brand.
Movies and television shows that have featured Maserati cars include:
- The Italian Job (1969)
- Miami Vice (TV series, 1984-1989)
- The Sopranos (TV series, 1999-2007)
- Entourage (TV series, 2004-2011)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Fast and Furious 6 (2013)
- John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
- Bad Boys for Life (2020)
Some famous people who own Maserati cars include:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- David Beckham
- Jay-Z
- Eddie Murphy
- Gerard Butler
- Shaquille O'Neal
- Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- Lewis Hamilton
- Jeremy Clarkson (host of Top Gear and The Grand Tour)
- Jodie Kidd (model and TV personality)
Today, Maserati is owned by Stellantis. The company continues to produce high-performance sports cars and luxury sedans that are known for their distinctive Italian design and powerful engines.
The Maserati car company has a long and storied history that has been marked by several ownership changes. The company has remained true to its roots as a producer of high-performance sports cars and luxury vehicles. Though with its distinctive Italian design and powerful engines, Maserati is a brand that is synonymous with luxury and performance.