This one jumped out at us because we never imagined both brands being mentioned in the same breath, much less working together. Maserati has signed a master agreement providing access to technologies from Airbus Group Innovations, the R&D hub of the Airbus Group. Yes, the planemaker that makes MAS' giant A380 and supplies AirAsia's entire fleet.
Concluded at Maserati's Modena headquarters, the agreement enables the Italian brand to make in-depth reviews of Airbus Group Innovations' broad portfolio that covers manufacturing processes, production methods, metallics and composites expertise, systems integration and other know-how.
"By evaluating this broad spectrum of technologies, Maserati can benefit from Airbus Group capabilities exploited in several applications, such as airliners, helicopters and fast jets to spacecraft that are exploring the universe," said Harald Wester, CEO of Maserati and chief technology officer of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
"We developed the Technology Transfer Framework (TTF) with industry leaders such as Maserati in mind, and it is being selectively offered to a limited number of potential partners. Maserati is perfect for an agreement of this type, as the company is a benchmark in high-end automobiles, while having production volume that is flexible enough to implement new technologies," explained Wulf Hoeflich, head of Airbus Group Technology Licensing.
Hoeflich noted that Harald Wester was personally involved in establishing the TTF arrangement. "He recognised the TTF's value, and is ready to lead his teams in making the best use of the significant access to Airbus Group Innovations' know-how that comes with this agreement," he added.
With the TTF, overview access is to be provided to Maserati across a wide range of Airbus' technical areas over a few years, allowing the carmaker to identify tech that could be "game changers" when utilised under license and applied to its cars.
