Benelli Bust?

[Biff]

So the fat bloke down the pub tells me, backed up with a search on the tinternet; motorbike manufacturer Benelli, makers of the Tres and the gorgeous TNT, have apparently made the first application for bankruptcy (apparently there are several hoops to jump through in Italy). They’ve just laid off a heap of staff and production quantities have fallen dramatically as a result.

They're desperately trying to find a rich sugar daddy as we speak.

Good luck guys.

[Paul in NZ]

Pish!

Italian bankrupcy laws....

If the govt like it they will keep makin' em! Italian business law is a bit unusual..

[bugjuice]

never 'erd of 'em.. any pics of their bikes..?? I'll give 'em a 5er if it helps..

[louisb]

TVR owner buys Benelli Motorcycles
10th August 2005

The Russian owner of the Blackpool sports car manufacturer TVR, Nikolai Smolenski, is reported to have acquired the Italian superbike and scooter manufacturer Benelli, and is said to be planning for the car firm’s Blackpool factory to manufacture components for the new purchase. Neither firm has confirmed the report.

Benelli was formed in 1911, and became most acclaimed internationally in the 1960s, when it produced a bike with a six-cylinder in-line engine. In 1995 Andrea Merloni took charge of the business, which combined the production of scooters with superbikes in low volumes but was frequently hit by financial crises.

(Source: www.pistonheads.com and others)


TVR is suppose to be in financial crisis aswell!!!

[Lou Girardin]

That's right, the Italians don't let icons dissappear.

[Biff]

never 'erd of 'em.. any pics of their bikes..?? I'll give 'em a 5er if it helps..

What?!!! Dude - bootifull motormacycles, and a company with a proud racing history (and of breaking down - well they are Italian).

[crashe]

Gee I once owned a Benelli way back in the 70's (1975 I think)
a 50cc minibike.... Was great fun to ride as well.
Even got my full bike license on it to

[avgas]

OMG i started reading this thread, thinking to myself "I really hope one of my favourite bike companies doesnt go bust" (im still bitter bout Bimota-and theyre lovely VDUE)........but TVR as well????? Just after they release that awesome Sagaris!!!!!!!!
Either companies i would dream often of getting jobs for......
( -"Some day i will work for Benelli or TVR")
Life really is sad these days, they keep moving the god damn goal posts
I think im going to the corner to work on my bike (and cry)

[Coyote]

Hope they pull through. The liked the look of the tornado

[Bob]

OMG i started reading this thread, thinking to myself "I really hope one of my favourite bike companies doesnt go bust" (im still bitter bout Bimota-and theyre lovely VDUE)........but TVR as well????? Just after they release that awesome Sagaris!!!!!!!!
Either companies i would dream often of getting jobs for......
( -"Some day i will work for Benelli or TVR")
Life really is sad these days, they keep moving the god damn goal posts
I think im going to the corner to work on my bike (and cry)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

This thread is NOT saying TVR have gone bust. The story, as nicely found and reported (and may more of these tales turn up without me finding them!) is that Benelli ran out of pennies and filed for stage 1 bankruptcy (which is a way of keeping the creditors from the door so they can look for a rescue package).

THEN, the Russian that bought TVR (last year?) has, as far as I can see, stepped in and bought Benelli as well, feeling that the two brands compliment each other.

From a very quick sniff about, it seems that initially the bikes will continue to be built in Italy - and probably sold at TVR dealerships, with both brand names continuing to be used. It also seems there is a strong chance the TVR factory in Blackpool, England, will start making components and may well take over the production process completely in time.

So Mr Bloor may have another UK bike maker to contend with...

[avgas]

Excellent.....
but why cant they all be friends, and chuck that little genius Lazereth in there too. Then you would have the ultimate bike.

[Jackrat]

A mate owned an early Tornado 650 twin during the 70s.
It made brittish bikes look fast reliable and oil tight.
When he finaly got a manual for the dog it was in Italian.
Pity he wasn't
Kinda coloured my opinion of Benelli ever since.

[Bonez]

A mate owned an early Tornado 650 twin during the 70s.
It made brittish bikes look fast reliable and oil tight.
When he finaly got a manual for the dog it was in Italian.
Pity he wasn't
Kinda coloured my opinion of Benelli ever since.

pity he didn't have one of those Honda clones

[Bonez]

So the fat bloke down the pub tells me, backed up with a search on the tinternet; motorbike manufacturer Benelli, makers of the Tres and the gorgeous TNT, have apparently made the first application for bankruptcy (apparently there are several hoops to jump through in Italy). They’ve just laid off a heap of staff and production quantities have fallen dramatically as a result.

They're desperately trying to find a rich sugar daddy as we speak.

Good luck guys.

I hope Cagiva buy them out and produce some decent kit. You know, like they did with Ducati............Oh and lets not forget the MV Augusta F4

[Jackrat]

pity he didn't have one of those Honda clones

Funny you should say that.
I worked with a guy from Papakura that had a six.
Used to park the CB next to it an wonder about it a bit.
He used to give me shit about riding Jappers.
Reckoned they were just copys of real bikes.
Wish I knew then what I know now.

Was still a neat bike but.