Fast Auto Technic Co. Ltd., the official importer of Maserati luxury sport automobiles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, recently held two exclusive drive experiences. A selected group of 40 VIPs and prospects attended both events. The entire Maserati stable was present, including the Quattroporte, GranTurismo and all variants of the Ghibli. The Al-Khobar Drive Experience is considered the first of its kind in the Eastern Province. Participants gathered at the Movenpick Resort before driving the cars at the Half Moon Road. In Jeddah participants assembled at the Blue Limits Resort before enjoying a memorable ride across the Jeddah Corniche Road and Ubhur area. On the occasion, James Butler, General Manager at Fast Auto Technic Co., said "Maserati enthusiasts deserve a chance to experience the thrill of our luxurious sporty cars up close and personal. Their unrelenting passion is a key driver of our success in the Kingdom, a fact bolstered by the continuous addition of new models. Our plan for 2016 is to increase the number of test drive gatherings across all three main areas in KSA, by holding a minimum of one event on a quarterly basis." Moreover, Abdullah Danbar, Marketing Manager at Maserati Saudi Arabia, said "there is no better way to demonstrate the superiority of Maserati cars than by making them available for enthusiasts to drive. After all, driving your dream car is by far more enjoyable than fantasizing about it, and we proved that beyond any doubt in our exclusive events." Maserati is a Italian luxury car manufacturer which was established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna (Italy) by its founder Alfieri Maserati and his brothers. Their passion and talent contributed to the company DNA: innovation, excellence, and challenge, which are reflected in the brand's claim "The absolute opposite of ordinary". Today, the company's headquarters and main production location are in Modena (Italy). A second state-of-the-art production location, based on the highest quality standards of the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) concept, was inaugurated in Grugliasco, near Turin (Italy), in 2013. Maserati has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993. Its emblem, the trident, was inspired by the fountain on the Piazza del Nettuno in the center of Bologna (Italy). It is a symbol that ties together the brothers, their hometown, and the artistry and craftsmanship for which Bologna and Emilia-Romagna are known. Through major investments into product development, production facilities as well as its worldwide dealer network, Maserati has hit a turning point. In addition to the successful GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges, the latest generation of Maserati's flagship sedan, the Quattroporte, and the new sports executive sedan, the Ghibli, provide the cornerstones to the brand's strategy of producing some 75,000 units annually and gaining a significantly strengthened presence in the global luxury car market. For 2014, Maserati posted a 136% increase in shipments to 36,500 vehicles, driven by the success of the new Quattroporte and Ghibli models. Its major markets include the USA (2014: 14,690, plus 110%), China (2014: 9,400, plus 148%), Europe (2014: 6,360, plus 153%) as well as Asia-Pacific (2014: 4,000, plus 206%) and the Middle East (2014: 2050, plus 144%).
