BYD Denies Maserati Acquisition Rumors; Stellantis Reaffirms Brand Not for Sale

BYD recently responded to online rumors claiming it was "considering acquiring Maserati," stating the reports were false and unfounded. Previously, BYD executives mentioned at a public event in Europe that the company was evaluating high-end automotive assets in the European market, including Maserati. On May 14, Li Ke, Executive Vice President of BYD, said at an industry summit that the company found such brands "very attractive" and had been actively studying various acquisition opportunities. On the same day, BYD confirmed it was in talks with European automakers, including Stellantis, regarding taking over underutilized local manufacturing plants. On May 16, Li Siting, Vice President of BYD’s International Business, mentioned at an automotive conference in London that the company was assessing potential acquisitions of traditional European luxury brands facing operational pressures, including Maserati. However, these remarks were later misinterpreted in media reports as indicating that BYD would acquire Maserati. Stellantis Group, Maserati’s parent company, has repeatedly denied any possibility of selling the brand. In March this year, Wang Chao, Vice President of Communications for Stellantis Asia-Pacific, explicitly stated: “The Maserati brand is not for sale.” Stellantis owns 14 automotive brands, including Peugeot, Citroën, and Jeep. Although the group reported a 2% year-over-year decline in net revenue for 2025 and continues to face operational challenges, it remains committed to retaining the Maserati brand.