MILAN, Oct 18 Reuters: Maserati delayed the launch of its new SUV Crédit until 2022 from November this year due to a global chip shortage in 2017.
The announcement by the luxury brand Stellantis, part of the luxury line, comes as a shortage of semiconductors forces automakers around the world to slow or suspend production.
Maserati said its decision stemmed from ongoing disruptions in the supply of parts.
I in particular, due to a shortage of semiconductors, production volumes would not adequately meet expected global demand, Maserati said in a statement.
A global premiere of the Grecale, produced in Cassino in Central Italy, initially scheduled for Nov. 16, was originally scheduled for No. 16.
Stellantis confirmed this month it would also unveil the Tonale, the new Alfa Romeo SUV, for March next year after it had been expected at the end of this year.
Stellantis was formed in this year though the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA in France has halted production at several plants, including in Europe and Canada, due to the chips shortage.
It had predicted it will produce 1.4 million fewer vehicles this year.
The FIM-CISL union said the impact of a semiconductor shortage on Stellantis' italian production this year will be worse and longer lasting than the damage to output caused by COVID - 19 pandemic in 2020.