To make sure that history doesn't repeat itself, Maserati has put customers first this time around. Some 180 service centers and 80 body shops have been set up in Europe and Asia, with about 40 more service centers in the U.S. to come next year. Maserati now buys parts from many of Ferrari's suppliers including braking systems from Italy's Brembo and tires from Michelin to insure the highest quality. There is also little that Montezemolo won't do to accommodate customers' requests. If you come to me with denim and want that in the interior, I will do that for you.
Customers can even choose the color of the stitching of the leather upholstery.
While Maserati is Montezemolo's latest project, he has also done a bang-up job at Ferrari. Last year Ferrari won both the Formula One Drivers' and Constructors' championships. He also suspects that Ferrari may reap additional profits from its Formula One activities, but its racing income, if any, is hidden somewhere in the Fiat Group's complex income statement. In any case, much of Ferrari's success is due to the energetic Montezemolo, who went to Columbia University law school in New York and later managed Ferrari's Formula One Racing team from 1973 to 1977. After stints at Cinzano International and as general manager of Italy's World Cup organizing committee from 1985 to 1990, Montezemolo returned to Ferrari as CEO in 1992.