Re: New Maseratis?

[James Bratek <james_bratek@domain.elided>]

You are correct ... I did not think this needed to be clarified as the obvious assumption is that the Ferrari factory is operating at its maximum capacity, not able to produce both Ferraris and Maseratis on the same production line ... maybe I should have said Ferrari 'controls' or 'manages' Maserati operations and manufacturing? Anyway, I think everyone gets it now.



On Saturday, February 22, 2003, at 11:04PM, Fred & Mel Zimmermann <fredmelzimm@domain.elided> wrote:

>Jim,
>You stated "The new generation Maseratis are being built by Ferrari". I would like
>to comment on that. My wife and I had the pleasure of watching the Mille Miglia
>two years ago and then touring both the Maserati and the Ferrari factories. The
>Maserati factory is in Modena and the Ferrari is in Maranello (sp?) They are both
>basically the same type of a production facility, but definitely separate. It's
>interesting to point out that one man assemblies the engines -from start to finish
>at both facilities. This assignment is a highly sought after and prestigious
>position! In both factories the cars are assembled as follows: There is an
>enormous U shaped rail that guides large cradles that support the cars being
>assembled. This U shaped rail is some 30 feet above the ground and it occupies
>almost the equivalent of a football field. The movement of the cradles are timed.
>Each time the cradles are moved there are warning beepers that sound about a
>minute or two before movement begins. The movement is about 25 or so feet each
>time to the next work station. The first work stations start with the exhaust
>system and rear suspension etc. all of the under carriage assembly. This continues
>until the car goes to about 20+ work stations. There are QC inspectors at each
>work station. We were told by our guide that if work is not completed within the
>allotted time there is a "Delay Button" that may be pressed by the supervisor of
>each work station. Both guides were very proud to advise us that there had not
>been a delay initiated for some very long time. The number was in the hundreds of
>days and I just don't remember how many days they both said. They were different
>numbers. I do remember that. We did witness, on two occasions (at the Ferrari
>factory) a member of another work station, rush the the next station to help the
>team finish after the first buzzer went off. Both factories were very
>professional, clean (read very clean) and the folks that were on the line seemed
>to be sharp and enjoying what they were doing.
>The point of all of this dribble is that the factories are not in the same place.
>They do, however have lots in common. I am in electronic manufacturing, so I was
>very interested in their processes. I don't remember seeing the name of the
>cradle/rail maker. If I did see it, I probably could not have pronounced it
>properly. They were both evidently made by the same maker. This may be supporting
>the original point that Maserati's are made by Ferrari, but they are definitely
>made in different factories. They are also both beautiful and this response to
>your original posting has me drooling! We were not allowed to see the Alfa
>factory, although we had a personal guide through the Museum.  We can't wait to go
>back to Italy. We drove a rented 156 twin spark and if they were available here in
>the US, I would be down at the dealer now.
>Fred Zimmermann
>67 Duetto
>69 Berlina
>71 GTV
>53 Chevy Pickup
>
>James Bratek wrote:
>
>> > - - many digesters have said they'd pony-up cash for a new Alfa if it were
>> > available. How many of youse guys will be buying a used 2002 Maser in a few
>> > years after they've taken their big depreciation hit? I imagine, like a used
>> > Alfa or Ferrari, that the purchase price of a used one will be quite
>> > reasonable compared to the cost of proper checkbook maintenance and repair.
>>
>> The new generation Maseratis are being built by Ferrari, and since Ferraris
>> tend to keep their values pretty high, I'd expect the same for the new
>> Maseratis. Yet another incentive for Ferrari to acquire operations of Alfa.
>> However, if that happens, the days of $5,000 used late-model Alfas are over.
>> Good news or bad news, depending on your income level.
>>
>> Jim
>> --
>> to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
>> or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided