Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2007 Melbourne International Motor Show Maserati presentation. Last year was an outstanding year for Maserati globally with continuing racing and sales success. In 2006 the incredible Maserati MC12 dominated the FIA GT Championship winning the Team and Drivers' Championship titles for the second year in a row.  An amazing feat in what is one of the toughest and most demanding disciplines in Motor Sport. Off the track the year was characterized by a global strategy of new market development; primarily in Eastern Europe and Asia.

US and Europe have been performing very well but it is in the younger markets where significant results are being achieved. Sales in China grew by 65 percent in 2006 and growth of 55 percent was recorded in Russia. All of these efforts are contributing to the continuing global success of Maserati, present today in fifty eight countries on five continents, with a total network of over 259 dealers. I had the pleasure of opening one of those dealerships here in Melbourne a year ago. In the presence of the Great Sir Stirling Moss we welcomed the Zagame Group to the Maserati family.  We had high expectations for them but never quite expected the 60 percent growth that they achieved in their first year and I congratulate Bobby Zagame and his Maserati team.

Underpinned by a strong economy, sales across Australia recorded a 34 percent increase over the previous year. While the economy and the efforts of our dealer network can take some of the credit for this success most of the credit belongs to the vehicles presented here today. 

From their launch five years ago the Coupe and Spyder models have gone from strength to strength reinvigorating the Maserati brand.  The GranSport's popularity continues to grow thanks to its combination of incredible performance, user-friendly versatility and four passenger comfort.
 

And to our flagship; the stunning Quattroporte which has received 28 awards since its debut three years ago and, with 9000 units sold to date, it has become the best ever selling Maserati. It is the Quattroporte that will ensure sales records continue to be set through the new model that we are launching here today.

While the exterior design and the interior maintain the style and elegance that have made the Quattroporte an unmistakable and multiple award-winning car, the mechanical side benefits from a transformation that will allow us to reach an even larger segment of consumers. The most notable change is the new hydraulic 6-speed automatic transmission, designed to be the ideal match for the powerful V8 and maximise comfort without limiting the potential of the engine. The Quattroporte now has the ease of use and convenience of a conventional automatic, yet its driving ability, dynamic performance and remarkable driving experience remain un-dampened. Indeed, they have been enhanced, with gains in smoothness, refinement and bump absorption from the suspension, which is now even more capable of dealing with the hazards of urban driving.

One thing that hasn't changed is the price. There will be no price premium for the Quattroporte Automatic; all of these gains come at no increase in price over the DuoSelect / Paddle Shift version. And it will be available in every version of the Quattroporte including Executive and Sport GT. The lucky few that have driven this latest model have been stunned at the driving capabilities of this 5 metre luxury sedan and we are confident that the new Quattroporte will more than double existing sales ensuring another successful year for Maserati.