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NEWS
Maritimo finishes 2014 on a high note
Export and sales boost, new M65 just launched, Sedan variant imminent, and M48 game changer in buildIncreased brand awareness, building international sales and the release of a number of dashing new models with instant (even pre-build) sales success have been the highlights of 2014 for luxury Australian-cruiser manufacturer Maritimo.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Maritmo's company’s founder, Australian boating industry icon Bill Barry-Cotter, said conditions in international markets had continued to improve during the year.
HOT NEW M65 LAUNCH
Mr Barry-Cotter added that the launch of the new M65 Cruising Motoryacht (first running shots above!) — which we attended after getting aboard the "mega-cruiser" over the weekend — and its public debut due in May next year should set the scene for a solid 2015. Five of the M65s have already been sold.
"America and Europe have been strong performers for us in 2014 and with five of the M65s sold before the first one hit the water we are confident that conditions will continue to improve in 2015," he said.
"The falling Australian dollar will assist and if the Australian economy can gather momentum post the mining boom we may see conditions here gather momentum," Mr Barry-Cotter added.
THE HERO BOATS
Maritimo’s sales and marketing manager, Greg Haines, said the ‘hero boats’ for Maritimo during 2014 had unquestionably been the M50 and M58 (he even owns one) Cruising Motoryachts. He said improvements made to the original models had been extremely well received and had driven stellar sales.
"The original M58 and M50 were both exceptional boats and remain so, but we have taken them to an even higher level with the generation two versions," Mr Haines said.
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
"Recently at Fort Lauderdale we showed the boats to dealers from across the USA, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Panama and Venezuela and the response was very encouraging," Mr Haines.
"They all love the full-beam master suite and they all commented on the high quality of the finishes and fitout.
"We made a strategic decision more than two years ago to concentrate on performance and finishes and it has paid off handsomely," Mr Haines said, adding that during the year Maritimo had appointed five new brokers in Europe, had held discussions with prospective brokers in the UAE, and appointed a broker in Holland.
MARITIMO OF THE AMERICAS
Maritimo has now formed a strategic partnership with Galati Yacht Sales (separate story to come) in a company called "Maritimo of The Americas" with a significant distribution hub in Tampa, Florida.
"Joe [Galati] and his team will service the established dealer network that we have and with their USA wide presence and track record since 1970 we believe we will see increased numbers in that market next year," Mr Haines added.
OUR PRESS VISIT
Meantime, we are publishing this good news while fresh from a Maritimo press factory tour. A more detailed update, the scoop on the first M32 with twin engines (and diesels, too), the good oil on some imminent Scania engines powering the M65, the sighting of an all-new M48 game-changing model (craftwood plug) with a keen pricepoint, and news of a future M61 and more will follow.
Watch this space in coming days for the inside running on Maritimo, the Gold Coast yard with plenty in new product development and R&D and, encouragingly, now experiencing some long-awaited export and marine-industry growth!
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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