West Bloomfield's Jack Cauley Awarded Michigan Maserati Franchise

DETROIT, Jan. 10 -- The resurrection of the great Italian Maserati marque lies in the hands of a select group of U.S. car dealers.

No one takes that job more seriously than the team at Cauley Ferrari- Maserati in West Bloomfield, Mich. Cauley Maserati is one of 30 U.S. Maserati dealers and has become Michigan's only authorized Ferrari-Maserati dealer.

Jeff Cauley, president of Ferrari-Maserati, inked the Maserati deal in November. Cauley also opened Michigan's first Ferrari dealer point in March 2000. Cauley is one of several exclusive Midwest dealers to carry the luxury car lines and their popular, authentic Italian aftermarket products and accessories in an upscale dealership setting.

``We're extremely excited about this car line. It's aimed at people who want a Ferrari but can't get one,'' Cauley says. ``It has all the performance of a high-end sports car but is appointed much more luxuriously -- a far more rich car to drive. It's a great alternative to German high-end cars like Porsche, Mercedes and BMW.''

The vehicles are expected to hit Cauley showrooms in February 2002. Maserati has slated 1,200 units for production in its 2002 launch. The Italian luxury car maker aims to boost world production to 10,000 units by 2005. That compares to 4,000 units for Ferrari. Maserati is expected to sell in the $89,000-$93,000 range.

Maserati is making its U.S. splash with the return of the updated 4.2 liter Spyder, a snazzy muscle car which received critical acclaim in its Frankfort, Germany, debut in October and in Detroit in January. After a 12- year absence from the American auto scene, Spyder joins a 2+2 3200GTcoupe and a new Pinanfarina-designed Quattroporte sedan.

Cauley hints that the Maserati Spyder may have sports-car styling but is built for comfort as well as speed -- not just a summertime or fair-weather machine. ``It's comfortable enough and built to drive every day,'' he says.

Dan Cable, Cauley's Ferrari-Maserati sales manager, says Maserati offers exclusivity and attractive deals. ``Here's an opportunity for under $100,000 to buy an extra fine Italian sports car, richly appointed with all the luxury items buyers want and still be very exclusive,'' he says. ``You're not going to see many of these cars on the road.''

The first chance to see the Maserati lineup, including the Spyder, is at the 14th annual North American International Auto Show, Jan. 12-21 at Detroit's Cobo Hall. Bologna, Italy-based Luca di Montezeumolo, Ferrari Chief Executive Officer and chairman, unveiled the new products in Detroit. Ferrari acquired the Maserati line in 1997.

Cauley and his sales team, along with other select dealers, toured Maserati-Ferrari manufacturer facilities in November. The vehicles are built in Maranello and Modena, Italy, under exacting production standards. Nancy Kelly, Cauley sales consultant, is the country's only woman sales person for Maserati, according to Cauley.

Sean Seltzer, regional manager for Maserati North America, described the Cauley as a ``trust mark'' dealership point, carrying the brand image desired and wanted for Maserati-Ferrari.

Maserati fast facts:

4.2 liter dohc V8 engine 390 horsepower/7600 rpm redline ratings 4-year/50,000 mile warranty Quotable: ``The Maserati Spyder's Giugiaro-styled bodywork is curvaceous yet subtle. Its 4.244cc V8 motor is simply a masterpiece, and its blend of torque and horsepower is ideal for spirited road use.'' -- Forza, Feb. 2002