Maserati, JAC and Huawei working on two EVs – report

More details are beginning to emerge about the collaboration between Maserati, Chinese automaker JAC, and electronics manufacturer Huawei.

According to Yunjian Insight (via CnEV Post) and Future Cars Daily (via CarNewsChina), the three companies are planning to launch two pure-electric vehicles: a mid-to-large-size SUV, and a large grand tourer (GT).

The SUV will reportedly complement the existing 4.8m-long Grecale, which is available with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 and, in Folgore spec, a dual-motor all-wheel drive electric drivetrain.

Meanwhile the new GT will supplement the GranTurismo that's sold with either a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 or a three-motor all-wheel drive Folgore setup. It's implied the grand tourer will be a two-door, like the GranTurismo, but there was talk earlier of a successor to the on-again, off-again Quattroporte.

For these two EVs, Huawei will supply its HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance) platform, which includes the Qiankun autonomous driving setup, electric drivetrains, and intelligent infotainment and display systems. JAC will be responsible for engineering, while Maserati is in charge of design.

These two cars will be built by JAC and sold under the Maextro brand in China. Maextro is JAC's joint-venture marque with Huawei, and its range currently consists of the S800 sedan, and V680/V800 people mover. The S800 is available as both a pure EV and an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), while the V680/V800 is EREV-only.

For the rest of the world, the new SUV and GT will be sold as a Maserati. The Maserati versions will have their unpainted bodies made by JAC in Hefei, China, and shipped to a Maserati factory in Italy where final assembly, interior installation and chassis tuning will take place.

By using this semi-knocked down production model, Maserati can reduce manufacturing costs, as well as development time, while maintaining the "made in Italy" label for its new cars. The latter may also allow it to skirt the extra tariffs placed by the EU on EVs imported from China.

While we expect Maseratis to feature more sumptuous interiors, it's unclear how much other differentiation there will be between the Chinese-market Maextro and global Maserati versions.

Maserati will reportedly retain considerable decision-making authority regarding international distribution. The key markets for the new models are said to be Italy, France, Germany and the Middle East.

The reports indicate the GT will be launched first, possibly as early as the second half of 2027.

Like other manufacturers, earlier this decade Maserati committed to ending internal combustion engine production and shifting to an all-EV lineup. It has since cancelled its electric supercar, and is re-embracing petrol power.

Global sales have fallen dramatically over the past few years, with Maserati only managing 11,127 sales in 2025, which is less than half the number (26,689) it sold in 2023. With profits hard to come by, Stellantis was rumoured to be considering a sale of the brand, but this partnership has put that chatter to bed, for now.

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