Naza Italia is walking away from Maserati after 16 years as the Italian brand’s gatekeeper in Malaysia, adding another question mark over the future of the Trident badge under Stellantis.
The Petaling Jaya-based company has formally notified Maserati SpA that it will terminate its importership and distributorship, triggering a 180-day notice period under an agreement that dates back to Jan 1, 2009.
Naza said the move is part of a wider realignment at Naza Automotive Group to concentrate on “core” operations, notably Suzuki and its Mercedes-Benz business under NZ Wheels.
For existing Maserati owners, the company insisted it is business as usual during the transition.
Service, warranty and parts support would continue, with Naza Italia stressing “professionalism and transparency” while it winds down the franchise. What happens after those six months is now up to Maserati and Stellantis, which have yet to announce a new Malaysian partner.
Globally, the timing is awkward.
Maserati sales have slumped, with the brand posting a €260 million operating loss in 2024 and delaying new model launches while Stellantis rewrites its business plan.
Reports from Europe and the US said Stellantis has hired consultants to study “strategic options” for Maserati and Alfa Romeo, including the possibility of selling one or both marques to outside investors.
Officially, though, the line is firmer: Maserati’s chief executive and Stellantis itself have both said the group remains committed to the brand and is not planning a sale.
So, for now, Naza’s exit looks more like a local portfolio tidy-up than the start of a fire sale.
But for Maserati fans in Malaysia, it’s one more reminder that their favourite Italian badge sits in a very crowded, very nervous Stellantis garage.
