Maserati

Maserati has taken the next step in its commitment to hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) with an investment of €800 million ($1.29 billion) in one of its key production hubs. After announcing plans for its first hybrid and EV models, the Ghibli, GranTurismo, and GranCabrio, Maserati has invested in upgrades to its Mirafiori production line to suit.

Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and the PSA Group have signed a definitive merger agreement. The two companies say they will, in time, generate two-thirds of its sales from just two platforms: one for compact cars, and one for compact and mid-size models. Each platform is expected to generate around three million sales per year globally.

Darcy Foster • Maserati has released photos of a test-mule running the firm’s all-new '100 per cent Maserati' engine. Reports suggest that this powertrain will underpin Maserati’s incoming sports car due to be unveiled in Modena in May next year. Whether that’s the new GranTurismo or a smaller offering more closely-resembling the 2014 Alfieri concept, we aren’t sure.

Maserati Australia has issued a recall for the 2016-19 model-year GranTurismo and GranCabrio over concerns the airbags may not deploy in the event of an accident. According to the Italian marque, "the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) airbag system may be defective and not activate" due to a manufacturing fault. If the condition occurs, Maserati says there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle's occupants.

Japanese worries about the proposed merger's effects on the 20-year old Renault and Nissan alliance may have scuppered the proposed US$35 billion ($51 billion) merger between Renault and Fiat Chrysler (FCA). Sources have told Bloomberg Japanese officials informed their French counterparts about fears the proposed Fiat Chrysler and Renault merger could harm Nissan.