All posts tagged market moves
Ducati and Piaggio to merge?
New from Italy indicates that the two big Italian manufacturers of Ducati and Piaggio could merge. Ducati needs no introduction, while Piaggio is the parent company of Vespa and Moto Guzzi, as well as it manufacturing scooters under its own name. The news of a possible merger comes just a week after rumours of a Piaggio sale; rumours that were subsequently denied by Piaggio, although the frequency of them now would suggest some substance. A Ducati-Piaggio merger would create a large Italian motorcycling consortium, of sorts, and could see some serious competition for the Japanese on many fronts - from scooters to superbikes. We wait further news!
Source | Motoblog.it
Moto Guzzi production stays at Mandello
In good news for Moto Guzzi workers and the town itself, Moto Guzzi production will remain at the Mandello facilities on Lake Como, while the company will also prepare for a relaunch of the facility and new models in 2013. The news comes in an announcement from Piaggio Group president, Roberto Colaninno.
The move comes after meetings among Moto Guzzi management and with union and regional government representatives. Piaggio management has made the decision that Moto Guzzi is to remain at Mandello and the new initiatives will also be undertaken at the facilities. Research and development of new Guzzi models, however, will move to Noale.
Moto Guzzi workers at Mandello are optimistic that this is the final decision in a long process of determining the future of Mandello Moto Guzzi production, and it will hopefully prove to be an important opportunity for the company to renew some of its activities at the plant. Beyond that, it’s an extremely symbolic event for the Italian motorcycle icon.
Source | Motociclismo.it via Motoblog.it
Erik Buell video thank you
Buell will cease production at the end of this month, and this video is the “thank you” note from the company to its employees, suppliers, distributors and dealership network. October 30 therefore, marks the close of the Buell story, commenced in 1983 and owned by Harley Davidson since 1998. This is an emotional time for the Buell brand, and we would hope still to see them round the traps in the future. For now our congratulations on a good job done, and our commiserations at seeing a great bike exit the stage, go to Erik Buell and his team.
MV Agusta to return to Italy?
In what was possibly on the cards, the Italians could take back their beloved MV Agusta brand, after Harley Davidson announced the sale of MV Agusta and the production end of Buell. According to reports, MV Agusta is still preparing for an important EICMA show with some exciting new models, in an interview with Claudio Castiglioni from MV.
Castiglioni has revealed the strength of the MV Agusta brand, how well loved it its, but also its appeal beyond just the emotional. Saying that MV makes creative and wonderful bikes, Castiglioni has said: “It would be logical for an intiative to be set up, for an Italian entrepreneurial interest for the reacquisition of MV [to take place]. I need to think about it. I have to be sincere, I have suffered a lot for “my” bikes and I’m tired of suffering. I need to reflect.”
There will be many Italians out there hoping that one of their beloved brands will once again be “made in Italy” to all intents and purposes. It will only be revealed whether practical issues can support the nostalgia associated with a patriotic buy-back of MV Agusta.
Source | Motoblog.it
Harley Davidson to sell MV Agusta and discontinue Buell
If you own a Buell you may soon find yourself the proud owner of a piece of history, as Harley Davidson announces a huge reduction in profits and the discontinuation of the Buell line. Sales of Harley Davidson motorcycles were down 21.3 percent in the third quarter of this year, compared to the same quarter last year, which is a futher reduction on the 30 percent decline already experienced in the second quarter.
In efforts to preserve the Harley Davidson brand itself, the company will now sell MV Agusta and discontinue Buell production, laying off a total of about 180 workers. As long as Buell stock remains, sales and warranty agreements will continue, as will service and parts supplies for current owners.
Harley Davidson will now commence the sale of MV Agusta, though it’s too early to tell who potential purchasers might be. In a statement from the company, Keith Wandell CEO says:
Continue reading: Harley Davidson to sell MV Agusta and discontinue Buell
Moto Guzzi Mandello factory saved?
After protests involving unions and the local council, it seems the Moto Guzzi factory at Mandello del Lario on Lake Como will remain open. The facility is the spiritual heartland of the Moto Guzzi brand, and after 1,500 Moto Guzzi owners and riders turned up to protest, the factory will remain open.
It seems to have galvanised Moto Guzzi management into action, with the president of the company, Roberto Colannino, claiming that Moto Guzzi will be making new investments and developing new models.
Workers maintain that Moto Guzzi is still looking to empty its factory, transferring workers to other Piaggio facilities in northern Italy, such as Noale in Venezia and Pontedera in Pisa, central Italy. According to them, over a third of the 150 employees risk losing their jobs, while the identity of the Moto Guzzi is being compromised (see petition details after the jump).
New Husqvarna headquarters opens
Husqvarna has a new headquarters opened in Varese, in a large building three stories high. It will include offices, a testing centre for new bikes and an area for the production of new prototypes and racing bikes.
The structure also houses the Husqvarna development team, a presentation centre and a showroom at the front. A small space has been dedicated to top models and photographs from Husqvarna history.
Incredibly, the facilities could stretch to producing 40,000 bikes a year, with Husqvarna building the site with long-term plans for future growth in place. It’s even environmentally friendly, using solar panels and generating energy for its own hot water. Something to check out when next you’re in Varese, Italy.
Yamaha in Pakistan
The international dynamics of motorcycle manufacturing are shifting, and Yamaha is investing in a plant in Pakistan, as the big Japanese producers take advantage of their regional position in Asia and cash-in on that market. The Yamaha move to Pakistan takes place after a similar announcement that Kawasaki would start manufacturing in Thailand.
The Yamaha investment would amount to $150 million, and the new manufacturing plant would be built in Karachi. The aim is to assemble 22,000 motorcycles at the plant by 2012, and eventually start building engines there come 2017. Yamaha would also use Pakistan as a base for its Asian and African exports.
Source | Visor Down
Kawasaki moves to Thailand: Honda to follow?
Kawasaki will produce its medium to large motorcycles in Thailand. The move will mark the first for a Japanese motorcycle company to transfer production to a developing country, to take advantage of reduced production and labour costs.
The production move to Thailand is expected to take place from 2010, although no further information is available as to volume or how this will affect the local Japanese production market.
While Thailand is no stranger to motorcycles, particularly with a booming scooter market of its own, the change might spark concerns over quality. The report also says that Honda may follow to Thailand, in a cost-cutting move of its own.
Source | Bloomberg via Asphalt and Rubber
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