Maserati dealer coming soon? (Knoxville, Martin: sale, 2014, how much)

[MetropolitanTN]

The Maserati dealer in Nashville is combined with a Bentley and Rolls Royce dealership.

Additionally, Porsche and Jaguar are owned by Harper so they could easily slip Maserati in with them.

[jlawrence01]

The last time I saw a Maserati dealership in a smaller city, it was attached to a Ford dealership and they had at most, five vehicles in stock. It was pretty much met with a collective yawn.

[MetropolitanTN]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

The last time I saw a Maserati dealership in a smaller city, it was attached to a Ford dealership and they had at most, five vehicles in stock. It was pretty much met with a collective yawn.

Lol. What city was that?

[jlawrence01]

Cincinnati

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by Richard Cycholl

You may of just stated why it won't make it. Knoxville is a small city market and it already has its hi end car dealers (the ones you mentioned). Can it take one more? Maybe if it combines with other brands, like some car dealers are doing now.

Sure it can take one more, but you probably have it right that it would likely be combined with other brands, since this market, for that expensive a vehicle, would almost have to be a "niche market."

[Creekcat]

Originally Posted by CompassNorth

Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Jaguar and Land Rover are all here. All of these brands have models north of the $100k mark. A few models are approaching the $200k range. Maserati is a bit more exclusive than the other brands mentioned, but I don't see why it couldn't make it in Knoxville.

How many of those models do they sell? I would think less than 7 a year.

[DaveC20853]

I think USI Motors was pretty well covering the high end car market here.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by DaveC20853

I think USI Motors was pretty well covering the high end car market here.

For used. If I have Maserati money, I'm not buying used. In fact, unless it's a classic, I'm not buying used, period, but that's an entirely different discussion and based on my car sales experience.

[ThatTNGuy]

Maserati is definitely a niche brand, but they'll be expanding "downwards" a bit in the near future. They have a new (and slightly less expensive) model called the Ghibli that will compete with cars like the 5 Series, A6, E-Class and CTS, and I'm fairly certain they've got plans for an SUV in the works as well. How many Range Rovers, Escalades and GL-Class Mercedes Benzes do you see around Knoxville? Quite a few.

In the Harper family, Jaguar, Audi and Porsche all have more than a few models that easily crest the $100,000 barrier. I see expensive Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and Land Rovers around here on a regular basis, and even a few Ferraris, Aston Martins, Lamborghinis and Corvette ZR1s, so a Maserati dealership could probably attract just enough business to be relevant.

I think this would be awesome.

[Richard Cycholl]

Originally Posted by ThatTNGuy

Maserati is definitely a niche brand, but they'll be expanding "downwards" a bit in the near future. They have a new (and slightly less expensive) model called the Ghibli that will compete with cars like the 5 Series, A6, E-Class and CTS, and I'm fairly certain they've got plans for an SUV in the works as well. How many Range Rovers, Escalades and GL-Class Mercedes Benzes do you see around Knoxville? Quite a few.

In the Harper family, Jaguar, Audi and Porsche all have more than a few models that easily crest the $100,000 barrier. I see expensive Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and Land Rovers around here on a regular basis, and even a few Ferraris, Aston Martins, Lamborghinis and Corvette ZR1s, so a Maserati dealership could probably attract just enough business to be relevant.

I think this would be awesome.

You can get BMWs less than 50,000 and Range Rovers less than 40,000. A cheap Maserati runs about 90 Grand or alittle less. Harper sells hi end cars, but he carrys Porsche, Jaguar, Audi and Accura, maybe like the OP stated he will add the brand, but that will also on Maserati decision. Many companies, a dealer not only has to meet certain criteria, but the area has to meet certain sales criteria also. I believe we do not know what the criteria is. If you are correct and they will be expanding downwards, will maybe they will work into this market or move in this area as they are sharing a dealership like Harper's. Either way, I doubt I will ever see the money for me to purchase one, let alone ride in one.