Considering that there are 30 dealerships in the country and a number of 130 are expected to open by the end of the summer, that should theoretically help the Italian automaker increase its sales levels.
However, the Italian automaker has other plans in the US too, besides the 500 model, and one of those concerns Bertone. After failing to set an agreement with the FIOM union that represents the factory, the Turin-based automaker has suspended a $710 million (EUR490,000,000) investment in the former Bertone plant.
The money should have been invested in developing a new Maserati that will replace the Quattroporte model, and a medium size car to take on BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes Benz’s E Klasse. The medium size car should appear on the market in Europe somewhere in 2012 and the Quattroporte replacement should be on display in 2013.
"The agreement is in a few days," confirmed Bertone officials. "There are alternative plans to be in Italy or elsewhere. I'd rather make a Maserati in Italy, are optimistic that the car can do in our country. It would be a shame for the workers the establishment does not allow Fiat to make the investment there, but everyone is free to make its own choices. We have been an incredible clarity. We have a contract at Mirafiori and at Pomigliano that were voted on and accepted by the majority of our employees. I can not create two states in the Fiat."
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