DOWNEY – Maserati, the Italian maker of luxury automobiles, is in negotiations to open a new car dealership in Downey.

If negotiations are successful, the dealership would open at 9715 Firestone Blvd. and share space with Champion Chrysler/Dodge.

Champion and Maserati have already signed a letter of intent to establish the dealership.

On Tuesday, the City Council voted to approve memorandum of understanding with Champion that authorizes them to temporarily use their lot space to sell Maserati vehicles.

“Attracting a Maserati dealership to the city of Downey is a tremendous undertaking for Champion and the city,” Community Development Director Aldo Schindler wrote in a report to the City Council. “Constructing and establishing the dealership will be just as monumental.”

As negotiations progress, it’s possible Maserati will “seek partnership opportunities with the city, in the form of economic development assistance,” Schindler said.

“The execution of this MOU is the first step in bringing a Maserati dealership to the city of Downey,” Schindler added.

With the MOU’s approval, Champion can begin selling Maserati vehicles immediately as it works to design, construct and open a permanent dealership.

The Downey Maserati dealership could draw customers from the South Bay, Long Beach, and north Orange County, officials said.

The nearest Maserati dealership to Downey is currently in Puente Hills, 17 miles away.

Maserati currently operates about 17 dealerships in California but is looking to expand in this state “to take advantage of California’s car culture,” said Schindler.

The Great Recession took a drastic toll on the local automobile industry a decade ago when Downey lost its Ford, Lincoln and Cadillac dealerships, all in 2009.

Since then, Downey has added a Hyundai dealership and Champion Dodge/Chrysler/Fiat.

Giant RV received $504,000 in tax incentives to open at the former Gemco site at Florence Avenue and Studebaker Road, and Downey provided $2.25 million in financial assistance to help Downey Nissan expand to its new, larger location.

UPDATE: The story has been updated since it was originally posted March 26.