Phil McCaroll

THE chief executive officer of McCarroll’s Automotive Group, Phil McCarroll AM, has swung significant resources behind the emerging prospects of the Maserati brand by investing in two prestige Italian dealerships so far.

His company, which he runs with his son Simon, would consider a third.

“Simon and myself have been seduced by Maserati, its history and the passion of the brand,” he said.

“We have Lexus franchises – we are the biggest Lexus dealer in Australia – and there’s a similarity between the type of person who buys a Lexus and one who is a Maserati owner.”

But Mr McCarroll said what makes Maserati stand out is its exclusivity in the market.

“There’s a sense in the community that many car brands all look the same,” he said.

“You can see a row of BMWs, or Audis or some others, at the golf club and they are not distinguishable.

“We have seen a trend by people wanting to be seen driving something different. Previously, some of my friends have said they admired a Maserati but thought they were too expensive.

“That all changed with the Ghibli. The price point is affordable and people who previously thought the brand was unattainable are now owners.”
Mr McCarroll said he believed that Maserati would continue on a strong growth phase.

“The Levante will be even better received than the Ghibli,” he said.

“We have expressions of interest in the Levante coming from people who are on their second or third Porsche Cayenne or BMW or Audi Q7.

“They’re all saying they are looking for something different and even before driving one, there is very positive reaction to the Levante.

“This is a model that puts the brand in a strong position in this country.

There are more cars coming, too. The Ghibli S upgrade is coming soon and there’s a lot of interest in that. The Maserati Alfieri will also get a strong reaction from buyers when it arrives in 2018,” he said.

Mr McCarroll puts the expansion of the Maserati model range and its burgeoning sales drive down to the company’s management.

“I think the way Sergio Marchionne (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO) is guiding Maserati and Alfa Romeo is revitalising the brands and will be great for buyers here,” Mr McCarroll said.

“We have Alfa Romeo as a franchise as well and we are really looking forward to the Giulia which will kick goals for the brand.

“I think that the Levante is an excellent addition to Maserati and has a very good price point. For us, it’s a winner,” he said.

By Neil Dowling