29.07.2004 The Maserati Quattroporte has been launched onto the Brazilian market at an event held at the famous Museu da Casa Brasileira in São Paulo

The Maserati Quattroporte has been launched onto the Brazilian market at an event held at the famous Museu da Casa Brasileira, in São Paulo,

The new super-luxury four door-saloon was unveiled in the presence of Francisco Longo, President of Maserati Brazil, and from Maserati headquarters, Director of Sales and Marketing, Roberto Ronchi and Regional Sales Manager, Simone Niccolai.

According to Francisco Longo, “The Maserati Quattroporte is going to take a major slice of the Brazilian luxury saloon market.

"This year alone, we are aiming to sell 15 units of which four have already been sold, even before its launch. In 2005, at a conservative estimate, we expect to sell 25 cars here”.

Most of the twenty three specialist motoring journalists present were already familiar with the car following visits to Europe.

Others saw the Quattroporte in Paris at a demo session. However, all were once again surprised, particularly at the overall harmony of the car.

“The creativity of the designers is impressive as they have managed to combine the traditional with the sporty punch offered by the Quattroporte”, said Rafael Borges, a reporter from Carsale, one of the largest car websites in Brazil.

The reporter from Quatro Rodas, Adriano Grieco, said the same thing: “The whole look is perfect”. But he qualified this by saying, “I’d now like to try it on the road”.

In the evening, Maserati Brazil hosted around 300 guests, mostly businessmen. The reception started at 8pm with a live performance of violins.

Francisco Longo told the guests that the Maserati Quattroporte was a complete success in Europe and that it was a real honour for Brazil to get the car before the North American market, where its launch is planned for September.

“We are already selling the Coupé and Spyder, but have definitely been missing a classic saloon”, he concluded.

Invited to give his opinion, Roberto Ronchi, Director of Maserati SpA, briefly explained the worldwide manufacturer’s strategy and thanked those present.

After the speeches came the evening’s highlight, to the sound of a vocal quintet, the curtains were raised and two Quattroportes, which had been hidden in the illuminated garden, were revealed to the guests.

The event was a success, by the end of the party four Maserati Quattroportes had been sold and nine people had stated their intention to buy.

The Quattroporte clearly is already well on its way to establishing itself as a winner in the Brazil.