There are some conflicting reports suggesting damage to the Maserati plant in Modena.
Another sizable earthquake has been reported in Italy, this one shaking up a region known to automotive aficionados as Speed Central. It’s not yet clear how much damage has been suffered in Modena, home to high-performance makers Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati but all three have halted production and sent workers home.
The three makers are located roughly 25 miles from the epicenter of the magnitude 5.8 quake that struck Northern Italy today. Initial reports suggest at least 15 and possibly 16 people were killed, with 100s more injured, though none of those appear to have occurred at any of the automakers’ plants.
TheDetroitBureau.com has been told it is likely that Maserati, and perhaps the other makers, will have to remain shuttered for several days until authorities can inspect their plants to be sure there is no hidden damage.
Reporting from the scene remains sketchy but there are conflicting reports suggesting the Maserati plant, in the center of Modena, may have suffered at least some damage, though that was not confirmed by an official at the plant at the time of the temblor.
The quake may have been particularly destructive because of damage already sustained when the region was struck by an even more intense 6.0 earthquake just 10 days earlier. That event reportedly led to six deaths and the destruction of dozens of buildings.
The latest quake, which occurred north of Bologna, was felt as far away at Milan and Florence.
A tweet from Lamborghini stated, ““5.9 earthquake in the region, here in Sant’Agata everything looks fine and engineers are checking the lamborghini factory and the building.” In fact, the earthquake was a very slightly lighter 5.8 on the Richter scale.
A tweet from Ferrari announced that the maker had sent its employees home, as did Maserati and Lamborghini, to be with their families. A source at Maserati indicated the entire town of Modena quickly and effectively shut down after the shock hit the city.
The quake also led motorcycle maker Ducati – located near Bologna and closer to the epicenter – to shut production and send its workers home.