Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Maserati could soon take a major step away from its Italian roots. According to a report from Yunjian Insight, Stellantis is currently in talks with Chinese technology giant Huawei and Chinese automaker JAC to jointly develop a new electric vehicle for the Maserati brand. This comes at a celebratory moment for Maserati, as the brand turns 100 years old. While the marque remains one of Italy’s most historic performance brands, this may be a turning point for the niche automaker.Huawei Would Handle The Tech, JAC Builds The CarMaseratiIf the project moves forward, the new EV would reportedly follow a structure similar to Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). Under the proposed arrangement, Huawei would be responsible for planning and technology, while JAC would handle manufacturing, research, and development. Maserati, on the other hand, would only handle the car’s styling and brand image. In other words, each company would focus on its strongest area of expertiseThe Same EV May Wear Two Different BadgesMaextroAccording to the report, the vehicle may appear in two forms. One version would reportedly be sold in China under the Maextro brand, an existing partnership between Huawei and JAC. The second version would wear Maserati badges and target international markets. Although no official agreement has reportedly been signed, Yunjian Insight says discussions have been ongoing since early last year, with preliminary development work already underway. If the deal materializes, it would further highlight how influential Chinese companies like Huawei have become in the global EV space.Maserati's Brutal Sales CollapseMaseratiLike several niche luxury brands, Maserati has struggled to adapt to changing market demands. Although the company already caters to different segments by offering electric versions of the GranTurismo and the Grecale SUV, they haven't translated into sales. In 2025, Maserati sold 7,900 cars worldwide. For reference, the brand sold 11,300 cars in 2024 and more than 51,000 units in 2017. China, once the brand’s biggest single market, has seen an even sharper decline. Maserati reportedly sold around 14,500 vehicles there in 2017, but just over 1,000 units last year. In response, the company has offered up to an $85,000 discount on some EV models in an effort to bring back customers.AdvertisementAdvertisementMaserati is expected to showcase a new concept car in October at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, which may offer an early look at the brand’s future direction. However, if the reported Huawei and JAC partnership moves forward, the next generation of Maserati EVs may owe just as much to China’s rapidly growing automotive industry as they do to the brand’s Italian heritage.This story was originally published by Autoblog on May 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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