Maserati pursuing a Chinese alliance? Stellantis seeks a partner to revitalize the Tridente
The future, and perhaps the salvation, of Maserati might lie in an agreement with China’s automotive industry. Stellantis, which owns the brand, is considering a partnership with Huawei and JAC Motors to develop new Tridente models, set to launch as early as 2027. However, the final assembly of the vehicles is expected to remain in Italy, thus preserving a significant part of the brand’s industrial identity.
The Decline of Tridente
Maserati’s current situation is very different from what was imagined less than a decade ago. In 2018, the brand had nearly sold 50,000 vehicles in a year and aimed to double those figures over the following five years. The outcome, however, was the opposite. By 2025, the Tridente’s global sales had dropped to around 10,000 cars, making it increasingly difficult to fund the investments needed to compete in the premium and luxury segments on its own.
For Stellantis, which has owned the brand since 2021, abandoning Maserati would carry costs that go beyond mere financial figures. The company — which this year celebrated the centennial of its Tridente logo and its first overall race victory — represents one of the most recognizable assets within the Group in terms of brand image and Italy’s automotive heritage.
Huawei and JAC as Potential Partners
The possible solution would thus be to share costs and technologies with a Chinese partner. This wouldn’t be new for Stellantis, which has already established a partnership with Leapmotor and maintains industrial relationships with other Asian companies.
The novelty, however, would lie in the positioning strategy. Maserati could use a technology platform developed in China to re-enter the luxury car segment, while reducing the time and investment required to enter the market.
The focus of the rumors is Huawei and JAC Motors, with Maextro brand mentioned as a possible key player in the project. For Maserati, it would represent a significant transformation, although the company would retain design, branding, and final assembly in Italy.
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Chinese technology to accelerate electrification?
As of now, there is nothing official, not even regarding what the hypothetical first model resulting from the collaboration with China might be. However, the path seems to be toward electric vehicles, possibly by considering range extender solutions.
The circumstances seem favorable. Maextro is indeed expected to expand its lineup in 2027 by introducing both a compact sedan and a new luxury SUV. These two models could serve as the foundation for zero-emission successors to the Quattroporte and Levante once the partnership with Maserati is established. In short, it represents the right incentive to accelerate the electrification of the Tridente lineup.
Chinese technology at the heart of Italian luxury
It’s clear that for Stellantis, the biggest challenge will be finding a balance between the need to control investments and maintaining Maserati’s recognition as an Italian luxury brand.
A potential debut of the Italy-China partnership as early as 2027 would thus be much more than just a new launch: it would represent a concrete test of whether an iconic Italian brand like Maserati can leverage Chinese technology without losing its own identity.
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