Headlight
07-16-2008, 06:35 AM
Your thoughts?
Just over a month ago, rumors swirled around the possibility that Harley-Davidson, the 105 year-old motorcycling icon, might acquire MV Agusta, the ailing Italian sportbike manufacturer. For those of you who declared the possibility impossible, it's time to swallow your words.
Early this morning, Harley announced "the signing of a definitive agreement to purchase the Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta Group. Under the agreement, Harley-Davidson will acquire 100 percent of MV Agusta Group shares for total consideration of approximately 70 million euros ($109 million), which includes the satisfaction of existing bank debt for approximately 45 million euros ($70 million)." The statement also mentions that MV's Claudio Castiglioni will retain his title of Chairman, and Design Chief Massimo Tamburini will keep leading the design studio.
The announcement mentions that Harley CEO Jim Ziemer "envisions the acquisition is intended primarily to expand Harley-Davidson, Inc’s presence and footprint in Europe, complementing the Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycle families." After testing MV Agusta's six-figure flagship and sampling much of the Harley-Davidson lineup, I imagine this union could offer some intriguing possibilities for Italian-American motorcycles... what do you think?
Just over a month ago, rumors swirled around the possibility that Harley-Davidson, the 105 year-old motorcycling icon, might acquire MV Agusta, the ailing Italian sportbike manufacturer. For those of you who declared the possibility impossible, it's time to swallow your words.
Early this morning, Harley announced "the signing of a definitive agreement to purchase the Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta Group. Under the agreement, Harley-Davidson will acquire 100 percent of MV Agusta Group shares for total consideration of approximately 70 million euros ($109 million), which includes the satisfaction of existing bank debt for approximately 45 million euros ($70 million)." The statement also mentions that MV's Claudio Castiglioni will retain his title of Chairman, and Design Chief Massimo Tamburini will keep leading the design studio.
The announcement mentions that Harley CEO Jim Ziemer "envisions the acquisition is intended primarily to expand Harley-Davidson, Inc’s presence and footprint in Europe, complementing the Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycle families." After testing MV Agusta's six-figure flagship and sampling much of the Harley-Davidson lineup, I imagine this union could offer some intriguing possibilities for Italian-American motorcycles... what do you think?