Pirelli gains exclusive racing, consumer fitments for re-emerging Maserati brand

MILAN (Nov. 21)—Ferrari S.p.A. has named Pirelli S.p.A. the exclusive tire supplier for its Maserati racing and consumer vehicles. The partnership revives the 1950s relationship between the two companies under which Maserati won several, Formula One world championships, a Pirelli spokesman said. Pirelli reportedly said it will spend about 15 percent of its sports budget to support the tire needs of Maserati's racing program. Pirelli's alignment with Maserati parallels Ferrari's strategy to expand sales of the luxury sportscar brand in North America. Ferrari's sales of the brand there are expected to hit about 1,000 this year, but Maserati plans to launch a four-door sedan next year and by 2006 hopes to sell about 45 percent of a global total of 10,000 vehicles in North America, Dow Jones reported.