Severe Weather Obliterates Hundreds of New Maseratis in Italy
Mother Nature took out her anger on Fiat Chrysler earlier this week, using floodwaters to set hundreds of new vehicles ablaze at the Port of Savona. Italy has been subjected to savage weather this week, putting just about all of Venice underwater and blasting the rest of northern region of with extreme winds and precipitation.
According to local reports from Savona News, it was initially believed a nearby warehouse caught fire after storms caused an electrical short. However, follow-up reports claimed the fires likely broke out in the port after rising sea water caused vehicle batteries to explode.
Either way, the port was engulfed in flames by the time fire crews arrived in the early morning hours of October 29th. Roughly 1,000 vehicles were destroyed, the majority of which were new Maseratis models being shipped to the Middle East. Fortunately, no one was reported injured by the incident, though the storms took lives elsewhere.
“I thanked operators and employees of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority for the work they are doing in these days of emergency,” said Che regional councilor for economic development, Andrea Benveduti, during a press event.
The port has since been shut down, with cleanup progress being slowed by the overwhelming damage the rest of the region was subjected to. Damage appears to be catastrophic, as the fire converted most vehicles, including what looks to be a number of already unfortunate Fiat 500Ls, into little more than burnt-out shells. It was the second major fire to break out at the port in a week, and it may not be the last — more rain is expected in the coming days.
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Fiat employees in Srbija are rejoicing, probably best single day on the market the 500L has ever had. Insurance or private customer, a sale is a sale!
some folks say that cars aren't made as they used to be. now this is a proper original italian electrical, when it explodes in contact with salt water!!