Maserati has defied market conditions to record its third successive record breaking sales year in Australia and, in doing so, has become the fastest growing car brand in Australia with a full year sales increase of 50 percent according to VFACTS figures released today. This has also enabled Maserati to become the first exotic car brand to sell more than 200 cars in a 12 month period in Australia.

Making these figures even more remarkable is the fact that demand for the Maserati GranTurismo has exceeded supply and deliveries of Maserati’s key model, the Quattroporte, were severely limited for half of the year, pending the arrival of the new Quattroporte, which was launched at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show in October.

Australian Maserati importer, European Automotive Imports (EAI), expects the growth in Maserati sales to continue in 2009, despite predictions of a slump in the total car market. Demand for the range-topping GranTurismo S is outstripping supply and deliveries of the performance version of the Quattroporte, the 4.7 litre ‘S’ version that will account for the vast majority of sales, are only just starting. EAI, the Australian car importer and distributor owned by Neville Crichton, took over distribution of Maserati in 2005 and it has set a new record for Maserati sales in Australia every year following its takeover of local distribution.

“Maserati’s unique blend of style, performance, exclusivity and heritage has produced a range of extraordinary cars. In addition, Australian Maserati owners benefit from a unique level of customer care provided by our outstanding dealers,” explains Edward Butler, General Manager of Maserati Australia and New Zealand at EAI. “These are attributes that cannot be copied and ensure that, along with enhanced supply of new cars in 2009, Maserati will continue to break records in Australia during the coming year.”

Maserati sold 201 vehicles in 2008, a 50 per cent increase over the 2007 figure of 134, itself a 25 per cent increase over Maserati and EAI’s first full year figure of 107 in 2006. In 2005 Maserati sold 80 cars in Australia. Maserati's 50 per cent increase is greater than any other brand that completed a full year’s sales in 2007.