| Author |
Message |
    
Hr_puffinstuff
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 11:04 am: | 
|
...more chrome, please... |
Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 11:07 am: |
|
Now that is classic  |
Bill0351
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 11:08 am: |
|
OUTSTANDING!
Now!
Where are the hard bags, tour pack, and stereo?
Bill |
Trojan
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 12:22 pm: |
|
I can't imagine that MV was so desperate for cash that they would accept any offer from any buyer to save their bacon.
MV have been in dire straits for months and had stopped producing new bikes because they had once again run out of money. They have been selling off the family silver for a while now (Husqvarna to BMW) and If H-D hadn't come along I think they would have gone to the wall within months. H-D obviously played the waiting game for a while hoping the price would plummet, as rumours of their interest have been around for a while, and to be honest they bought MV at a snip.
However I can't help thinking that they missd the boat because H-D could have really done with the Husqvarna brand as well, especially in the US.
As for the theory about increasing the amount of H-D dealerships in Europe, that doesn't wash. The place is covered in them and more are opening up all the time. There are already far more European H-D dealers than there ever were MV dealers.
What they have really bought is a world famous, very well recognised name with a rich heritage in the sports bike/race arena, and a world class design studio that could do Buell a lot of good!
If they don't capitalise on this with some new and 'affordable' MV models and 'stylish Buell models they will have made a mistake and wasted their money. |
Lake_bueller
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 02:16 pm: |
|
However I can't help thinking that they missd the boat because H-D could have really done with the Husqvarna brand as well, especially in the US.
Not to mention all the time & money spent on the 1125r project. That motor alone probably cost 1/2 (if not more) of the purchase price of MV to develop. |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 02:36 pm: |
|
As for the theory about increasing the amount of H-D dealerships in Europe, that doesn't wash.
That was actually HDs publicly stated goal, not a theory from this board.
We can only hope they put the MV designers to work and keep a focus on the MV bikes. |
Trojan
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 05:34 pm: |
|
That was actually HDs publicly stated goal, not a theory from this board.
Sorry, I wasn't saying it was someone on this board who was wrong  Maybe a little corporate misdirection?
All H-D dealerships in the UK (and Europe as far as I know) are 'independant' franchises and are not connected to or offshoots of the Motor Company. If you have the money you can apply to be a dealer.
H-D buying another motorcycle manufacturer wouldn't make any more H-D dealerships available surely? Unless all of the current multi franchise MV dealerships decide to apply for Hog membership that is. Even then, current H-D rules for dealers here specifically exclude multi franchises, so I can't see how it moves the dealer situation any further forward.
MV is unfortunately a poison chalice that has changed hands more often than Lebanon in recent years, and it wouldn't surprise me to see some judicious asset stripping and then see it sold on again.
The problem is that everyone expects the pinnacle of exotica and exclusivitely from MV, yet that is not a profitable way to run a company any more.
Punters drool over MV's then buy a GSXR1000 with just about the same performance for less than a quarter of the price?
Build an affordable, quality MV Supersport 600 that can compete with Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/Yamaha on price/performance and they will have a winner. Just look at the niche that Triumph has carved with the 675 already in this market and you'll see there is room for a little exclusivity without ridiculous price tags.
Continue to build exotic irrelevances and the future is clear......and bleak. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 06:00 pm: |
|
Everybody wants Pam Anderson, but at girl next door prices...
Was that my outside voice? I am sorry, its been a low coffee day. |
Ferris_von_bueller
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 07:57 pm: |
|
Well said Trojan. HD might surprise all of us but, for the moment, I'm left with the feeling all HD has done with this deal is buy themselves an expensive trophy wife. |
Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 01:22 am: |
|
We can only hope they put the MV designers to work and keep a focus on the MV bikes.
Interesting question, does MV still have any designers/engineers?
With their recent financial shape those paychecks must have been awful rubbery.
Does MV have any notable patents? Other than interesting design, what exactly do they offer? What is unique only to them? |
Deadduck
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 08:54 am: |
|
The man responsible for the styling of many of the most iconic MV’s in recent years, Design Chief Massimo Tamburini, will stay on in his current role so we should see plenty more drool-worthy bikes from the Italian firm.
that is from an article on motorcyclenews.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults /mcn/2008/july/7-13/jul1108-harley-davidson-buys-m v-agusta/?&R=EPI-101662 |
Doerman
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 09:26 am: |
|
So they got an Italian Arlen Ness in the deal. |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 10:28 am: |
|
Does MV have any notable patents? Other than interesting design, what exactly do they offer? What is unique only to them?
They probably have as many patents as the Ducati $80,000 V4 contains. Zero.
They do have personnel that can actually design and build a performance engine in-house. They also have designers that build a bike about 1000 times more attractive than any Buell, and about 10 times more attractive than any Ducati.
Check out an F4 in person, you will understand immediately. |
46champ
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 10:48 am: |
|
I have a question from out here in Orygun. Most of the speculation and talk has been concerning the MV side of the house, what does the Cagiva side have to offer? Since scotters are hot right now did Cagiva offer one in the past or is their a small motorcycle i.e. 250cc or less that could be offered in the same price range. Since Cagiva is a non enity in America it's hard to even get information. Any of you guys in the mother country care to reply? |
Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 10:56 am: |
|
heck out an F4 in person, you will understand immediately.
I have. I know what I am about to say is heresy to others, but I was not that impressed...
I am really not a fan of the looks, I would much rather have an Aprilia. |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 11:00 am: |
|
Maybe I like it so much because I'm an ex-mechanic and quasi-engineer. Every inch of the bike has some beautiful mechanical aspect that I've never seen before. Just an amazing amount of mechanical art.
As a whole, I never really thought about the shape, etc. I just love the details and can look at one for hours. |
Milar
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 12:32 pm: |
|
FWIW I believe HD bought MV to build a viable alternative to BMW. A premium brand they can build to BMW like sales numbers.
1: The MV brand is a great name with a storied racing history. HD knows better than anyone how to build a brand and instill customer loyalty. They'll no doubt have an MV museum, MV rallies, MV owners club and hope every kid in Europe buys an MV t-shirt.
2. BMW has 2 main product lines: a twin for traditionalists and a 4 cylinder for conquest sales. With Buell's Helicon motor and MV's 4, HD can offer dealers a similar product mix.
3. HD could move production to East Troy. Cheaper labor costs and with the strong euro/weak dollar they could have a large FOREX advantage over BMW. (BMW has threatened to move motorcycle production to the US for years).
M |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 12:52 pm: |
|
Milar, I hope you are right, that would be fantastic. |
Raceautobody
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 01:09 pm: |
|
It is just one step in a glorious plan to buy Bombardier.
Al |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 02:07 pm: |
|
 |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 06:28 pm: |
|
THAT'S messed up.  |
|
