Harley-Davidson buys MV Agusta!

**Motu** · 12th July 2008, 20:08

Originally Posted by Badcat

when harley/AMF bought Aeramacchi (sp) in the 70s wasn't Cagiva part of the parcel?
i could be wrong...
k

Harley bought 50% of Aermacchi in the '60's,and AMF sold Aermacchi to Cagiva,or at least the Castiglioni Brothers.So HD has paid for the company twice....

**doc** · 12th July 2008, 20:22

Originally Posted by Motu

Harley bought 50% of Aermacchi in the '60's,and AMF sold Aermacchi to Cagiva,or at least the Castiglioni Brothers.So HD has paid for the company twice....

HD and MV sort of like chalk n cheese. Don't think its a good thing for MV unless HD only backs them financially. Don't put them in the same salesroom, HD salesmen believe in the product. They haven't done Buell very proud.

**Ixion** · 12th July 2008, 20:45

Hm

Cagiva do V twins. With Suzuki engines. HD make V twin engines. I'm not sure if this is an excitingly good thing or a horrendously bad one.

**Bob** · 13th July 2008, 09:23

This is, in terms of synergy between the two companies, a very good move.

This now means that the Harley group has a complete package. And both H-D and MV are "lifestyle" or "aspirational" brands - you want a Harley or an MV specifically, not because you want a cruiser or a sportsbike.

And the H-D/MV tie-up also makes sense in another way. A while back, there were H-D/Ducati tie up rumblings. And at that time, I recall one of the CEOs saying that there was a strong percentage of Ducati owners in the US that would also own a Harley. So now, Harley have their own aspiration sportsbike brand. So want top level sportsbike and a cruiser? Step this way Sir...

If I were in charge of Ducati US, I'd be very concerned at this development.

I'm not quite sure how Buell and/or Cagiva fit in now. Buell has always been the quirky outfit that is accepted as a loss leader, because it draws in younger riders who will move onto the Harley main brand as they get older. But Cagiva could also fit into that arena as well. And perhaps using Cagiva to make more "mainstream" bikes means that Buell might not be as useful any longer?

**Motu** · 13th July 2008, 11:39

In the Agusta family crypt the lid of a coffin is pushed aside - the Count is pacing the floor....and he needs blood....

**old git** · 13th July 2008, 12:37

Yet another death of a real motorcycle company, bought out by an advertisement company {after all it makes more profit from the "extras and advertisement than bikes}, now we will be stuck with good promotions of an outdated badly made bike, rather than a real bike that they didn't know how to sell.

**Badcat** · 13th July 2008, 13:00

Originally Posted by old git

Yet another death of a real motorcycle company, bought out by an advertisement company {after all it makes more profit from the "extras and advertisement than bikes}, now we will be stuck with good promotions of an outdated badly made bike, rather than a real bike that they didn't know how to sell.

oh bollocks.
do you think the MV is anything more than a cagiva with a brand they BOUGHT to lend them some heritage and credibility?
CRC sold the ducati brand, and they needed something cool for their top end bikes (great bikes too - i've owned a couple of ducatis and a raptor 1000)
what's the difference between that and the new purchase?

if HD isn't a real motorcycle company, i'd really like to hear what you thought was....

**Badcat** · 13th July 2008, 13:02

Originally Posted by jimjim

cool i will be able to put a HD badge on my cagiva

no less sad than people putting ducati stickers on cagiva alluzuras in the 80s.

**JimO** · 13th July 2008, 13:53

Originally Posted by Badcat

no less sad than people putting ducati stickers on cagiva alluzuras in the 80s.

hmmmmm i was joking

**raftn** · 14th July 2008, 12:09

In the Herald today, HArley has just announced the purchase of MV. ...................can't wait to see the new models!

**dwnundabkr** · 14th July 2008, 20:31

thought you all might want to read
Associated Press - July 11, 2008 9:55 AM ET

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Harley-Davidson said today it's buying an Italian motorcycle maker for about $109 million.

The purchase of MV Agusta Group will boost Harley's presence in Europe.

The company says the purchase prices includes existing bank debt for about $70 million.

Under the agreement, Harley-Davidson will also pay Claudio Castiglioni additional payments in 2016 if certain financial targets are met.

MV Agusta is privately held, with the Castiglioni family owning 95% of the shares. Claudio Castiglioni will continue to serve as chairman.

MV Agusta makes a line of premium sport motorcycles under its name brand and a line of lightweight motorcycles under the Cagiva brand.

Harley-Davidson said it will operate the company from its headquarters in Varase, Italy. The company said it will appoint a new managing director once the deal closes.

The acquisition is expected to close in several weeks.

Harley-Davidson said it will fund the deal through euro-denominated debt.