MILANO (Reuters) - Automaker Stellantis said on Thursday that the production of Maserati sports cars will be moved from Turin's Mirafiori plant to Modena by the end of the year.

Modena is the hometown of Maserati, a historic Italian brand that has been struggling and whose business plan, including new model launches, is under review after being put on hold last year.

Mirafiori is gearing up for the launch later this year of the new hybrid version of Fiat 500 city car, one of the key models for Stellantis' ( STLA ) future, expected to revive the factory after several stoppages due to low demand for the fully electric version of the 500.

The decision to move the production of the GranTurismo coupe convertible GranCabrio Maserati models will have a positive impact on Modena's production, the Fim, Uilm, Fismic, Uglm, Aqcfr unions said. However, they urged Stellantis ( STLA ) to further increase Mirafiori's production with other mass market models.

Maserati's Modena home is just kilometres away from Ferrari and Lamborghini's headquarters, an area known as Italy's Motor Valley.