Maserati is getting closer and closer to becoming a Chinese brand: Stellantis is in talks with two companies, one of which is Huawei
13/09/2026 15:00
Updated to
13/09/2026 15:00
Stellantis has been in a continuous process of renewal since Carlos Tavares left at the end of 2024. The conglomerate aims to strengthen its brands by implementing significant changes. There have been multiple speculations about the possible sale of its less profitable brands, such as Alfa Romeo and Maserati. However, all such rumors have been dismissed by the company’s management, now under Antonio Filosa’s leadership. Now, according to two sources, a new rumor suggests an important partnership between Maserati and at least two Chinese brands.
The multinational corporation is in advanced talks with technology giant Huawei and automotive manufacturer JAC Group to establish a long-term industrial partnership focused on Maserati. The discussions involve adopting the Harmony Intelligent Mobility platform developed by the Asian tech firm to support future developments for the brand under the triad. The planned timeline calls for the start of production of the first jointly developed model by the end of 2027.
Dual brand naming and global market distribution
If the agreement is finalized, Maserati could rely on a technically sound foundation that has already been developed and proven at scale in the Asian market, thereby reducing engineering and development costs and shortening launch timelines for its upcoming vehicles amid challenging financial conditions. The plan discussed by the parties involves a dual-brand strategy based on the geographical target market of the final product. In the Chinese market, models resulting from this joint development will be sold under the luxury brand Maextro, owned by JAC Group, while for international markets, the vehicles will carry Maserati’s traditional name and logo.
This formula would allow the Italian company to enter directly into China’s premium market with a product tailored to local demands, while leveraging its existing distribution network in Europe and North America to sell vehicles based on the same mechanical architecture. It’s undeniable that this approach seems quite clever. Filosa keeps Maserati within the Stellantis Group while reducing costs. If the news is confirmed, it remains to be seen how the Chinese brands would be integrated into the company’s ownership structure.
Direct impact on production in Cassino and Módena
The addition of a new vehicle to the lineup would serve as a lifeline for the brand’s industrial infrastructure in Europe. The deal would have a direct and positive impact on the assembly volumes at the Italian factories in Cassino and Modena, facilities where Maserati models are currently produced and which are experiencing low activity in their assembly lines, especially for the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models.
Financial figures underscore the urgency of this industrial reinforcement: the company registered fewer than 8,000 units worldwide throughout fiscal year 2025, ending the period with adjusted operating losses of 198 million euros. Management plans to formally present its long-term strategy next December. This is not the first time rumors have surfaced about a potential Italian-Asian alliance, though such speculation has grown louder recently. In the past, other Chinese brands like BYD have expressed interest in acquiring Maserati, but those deals did not go through.
JAC’s industrial experience and Stellantis’ framework plan
For this project, Stellantis relies on partners with a strong track record in manufacturing and development. JAC Group has extensive experience in international production agreements and joint ventures, highlighted by its previous strategic partnership with Volkswagen Group. Meanwhile, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has already incorporated industrial collaborations with Chinese firms such as Leapmotor and Dongfeng into a business plan worth 60 billion euros by 2030.
Source: Reuters