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GranTurismo Convertible Helps Maserati Bounce Back in the US

A luxury brand like Maserati should never be affected by economic conditions or changing market trends. However the recent downturn in the US and the stigma created by driving a car with an excessive pricetag translated into a sales drop of almost 50 percent in 2009, according to Autodata.

However, Maserati's GranTurismo Convertible (known as the GranCabrio in Europe) has given a new life to the Fiat brand’s sales in the US, driving them up by 48 percent in the first 11 months of the year. According to a recent Automotive News article, the Trident carmaker sold a total of 1,717 vehicles in the U.S., including 558 of the four-seat convertibles since its introduction in March.

The GranTurismo Convertible starts at $136,000 (EUR102,820) in America, but the new model has “dramatically improved” the carmaker’s sales, which only amounted to 1,275 units last year, 49 percent less than in 2008. “Last year it was so socially incorrect to buy a vehicle like this. Now you've got people saying it's OK to buy something like a Maserati,” said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with IHS Automotive in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Maserati said the GranTurismo Convertible has sold out in the U.S., resulting in long waiting lists, according to the automaker's website. “We are pleased with the results this year,” said Jeffrey Ehoodin, a Maserati spokesman. Sales of the brand’s other two models, the GranTurismo coupe Quattroporte four-door luxury sedan, haven't rebounded to 2008 levels, when the brand shifted 2,510 models across America, according to Autodata. It would be nice if Maserati would include the manual gearbox option for those who want a few driving thrills.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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