A month ago, Maserati announced that the official premiere of the Grecale would take place in Milan on November 16. Unfortunately, the semiconductor shortage crisis has forced the Italian company to postpone the debut of the new SUV to spring 2022.

Maserati’s latest announcement states that the delay is due to “background problems that have caused interruptions in the supply chains for the key components necessary to complete the car’s production process. In particular, due to the shortage of semiconductors, the quantity of production would not allow us to respond properly to the expected global demand.”

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The previous announcement stating the now-canceled November 16th debut

The fact that towards the end of September Maserati was still aiming at a November launch means that the Grecale’s development was all but completed. Our spy photographers have spotted camouflaged prototypes of the Grecale on several occasions, while Maserati had also teased us with similar pictures.

Interestingly, an Italian online shop had even started offering parts of the yet-to-be-presented SUV for sale, including a steering wheel, wheels, headlights, bonnet, and front bumper. All these lead to the conclusion that the Grecale is indeed ready, but the chip shortage doesn’t allow Maserati to commence production just yet.

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The Grecale will be Maserati’s second SUV offering sitting below the Levante in the range. It will be based on the same “Giorgio” platform as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and is expected to be offered in petrol, hybrid, and fully electric versions. ICE-powered models are rumored to get four- and six-cylinder engines equipped with mild-hybrid technology. Maserati has officially confirmed a range-topping Grecale Trofeo variant to be sold alongside the GT and Modena.

The semiconductor shortage has had a huge impact on the automotive industry and it seems that it will continue through 2022. Automakers are trying to find ways around this problem that has forced many of them to reduce or even halt production and postpone new car deliveries.