Comments on: Harley Davidson Hires Firm to Sell MV Agusta

By: Zoom

Zoom — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:59:32 +0000

This is an amazingly important event in the history of motorcycling. A takeover must happen and happen sooner rather than later. MV needs a large responsible new owner willing to bring it into the modern era of business whilst maintaining it’s traditional ethos and restoring it’s image as a racing brand back to what it once was. It needs to remain a breeding ground for only the most creative designers, if we could clone a Massimo Tamburini every generation that would be ideal but this is the bar those who follow have to aspire to. All i hope is that it is taken over by a buyer who appreciates what the brand stands for in the world of motorcycling. We need to see this brand back in top flight road and track racing as soon as possible. Motorcycling needs MV Agusta to ensure the bikes we ride do not become bland machines lacking soul. Ok, so some rich guy in the south of France may have one in his garage, next to his Ferrari, which has never come face to face with a fly in his last second of life, but i can see more good than bad in that statement. If MV ceased to be who would remind other manufacturers that being just a machine is simply not enough???

By: Scotduke

Scotduke — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:37:52 +0000

Perhaps the best thing would be for a major car manufacturer like VW to buy MV. It’d certainly be interesting. I still don’t understand why HD couldn’t sell the Bueel operation and remains as an engine supplier – something doesn’t add up in what’s been released though that doesn’t mean I think HD’s board was pursuing some kind of vendetta.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:11:46 +0000

The need for HD to hire an investment banking firm to find a buyer is not good news for MV Agusta. It means the usual suspects who might invest in the sale are passing. It would be too bad if MV ended up going to some vanity group whose primary motivation is that it would be cool to own a motorcycle company.

By: John O

John O — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:11 +0000

“…and we’d really screw up in the eyes of the world if we did the same thing to MV as what we are doing to our own. You know, all that effort and money we just invested in the Helicon motor which is not even 2 years old?”

By: Doug K

Doug K — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:36:30 +0000

An impressive number of corporate clichés all in one short press release:

“proud heritage and strong brand,”
“high-quality exciting and beautiful products”
“passionate enthusiasm”
“we are confident in our expectation”
“go-forward business strategy”
“leveraging the unique strengths”
“strengthen relationships”
“grow the Harley-Davidson brand worldwide.”
“road to revitalization.”
“returning to a position of prominence”
“premium.”

With a little more effort they could have squeezed in “DNA”, “stakeholder”, “customer focused” and a few others.

Harley’s ownership of MV is yet another blot on the name of one of the great names in motorcycling. I wonder if Valentino Rossi has enough money yet to buy MV and do right by it?