In a strategic retreat from its previously announced electrification ambitions, Maserati has officially canceled its plans to produce a battery-electric version of its MC20 supercar. The move signals a recalibration of the Stellantis-owned brand’s direction as it grapples with sluggish demand and evolving consumer preferences in the high-performance segment.
No Electric Folgore for the MC20
The MC20 Folgore — the anticipated all-electric sibling of Maserati’s flagship sports car — was originally scheduled for launch this year. However, citing limited commercial potential, the Italian automaker has opted to pull the plug before production began.
Consumer Readiness Not There Yet
“The decision was based on projected demand,” a Maserati spokesperson said. “Our current MC20 customer base values the visceral performance and emotional connection of a combustion engine — they’re simply not ready to transition to BEVs in this category.”
Since its launch in 2020, the MC20 has represented Maserati’s return to serious supercar territory, delivering 630 horsepower via a twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Built in Modena and priced from around €240,000 ($262,000), the vehicle was expected to serve as a halo product for the brand’s electrification journey. That vision, at least for this model, has now shifted.
Electrification Strategy Revisited
The cancellation comes on the heels of broader uncertainty surrounding Maserati’s long-term product roadmap. In a 2023 meeting with labor unions, Stellantis declined to reaffirm its full electrification timeline for the brand — a red flag that now appears more telling.
Sales Slump and Financial Strains
Maserati’s global sales dipped sharply in 2024, with just 11,300 vehicles sold — a significant drop from the 26,600 units it moved the previous year. The result: an adjusted operating loss of €260 million ($284 million), placing further pressure on Stellantis to reassess the brand’s viability and strategic focus.
Where Do Rivals Stand?
While Maserati hits pause, its competitors are pressing forward. Ferrari, for instance, is set to debut its first all-electric model in October, and Lamborghini has committed to launching its own BEV by 2029. Porsche, meanwhile, has been in the EV game since the Taycan’s arrival in 2019.
Maserati does still offer electric options — including BEV versions of the GranTurismo coupe, GranCabrio convertible, and Grecale SUV — but the absence of a supercar like the MC20 Folgore now leaves a conspicuous gap in its future-facing portfolio.
Product Pipeline Uncertain
Beyond the GT2 Stradale — a track-focused derivative of the MC20 due later this year — Maserati currently has no new vehicle launches on the calendar. With Stellantis placing the brand’s business plan under review, any near-term expansion or renewal of the lineup remains in flux.
Electric Dreams Deferred
- MC20 Folgore: Canceled due to lack of demand
- Customer sentiment: Still leans toward high-performance combustion engines
- Current EV lineup: GranTurismo, GranCabrio, Grecale
- Next launch: GT2 Stradale — expected Q1
- Future plans: On hold as Stellantis reassesses brand direction
While the industry charges ahead with electrification, Maserati’s latest decision reveals that not all segments — or customers — are moving at the same pace. For now, the roar of the combustion engine continues to define the MC20’s legacy, even as the brand’s future hangs in the balance.
