Volkswagen Owns Ducati - Bought for $1.12 Billion

It is now final and official; after months - nee years if you listened to VW fans and their chatter - of rumor and speculation, VW's Audi brand has officially purchased Ducati for the sum of €860 million (US$1.12 billion). Some are arguing over why they did this. One of the articles linked here gets close. Audi wanted Ducati for the same reason VW wanted Bugatti and Lamborghini - prestige, a nameplate to put on the stock and letterhead. And, why not? Really, what kind of idiot would not buy a company on the rocketship rise, as is Ducati, for what is essentially a few days of revenue for VW/Audi? Not this idiot! Check it out and lust after the Panigale (someone needs to tell the Wired author that Ducati has actually named this one; no, not a great name, but a real name) in the photo here.

First tiny blurb: http://tinyurl.com/7s5zloj

Wired piece (far more informative): http://tinyurl.com/cmllp7e

Watsonian Squire Ltd - 100 Years in the British Motorcycle Industry

One-hundred years is a long time or any company, but it is an especially important anniversary for a company whose work is in the British motorcycle industry. Many great companies have come and gone - and come again, for some of them - and they have left many great bikes behind them. But, one which has been there through just about all of it is Watsonian Squire Ltd. They have also made a name for themselves within a certain set of accolytes.

Watsonian Squire Ltd is the company known for producing the historic and classic looking sidecar rigs used in the world-renowned Harry Potter movies, so you have probably seen their work. They also have made specials for the likes of Ewan McGreggor and the Two Fat Ladies, world-famous TV chefs. This was all accomplished by a small, 12-person operation based in a small British town. For a little more and a look at some of their work, take the link:

http://tinyurl.com/7qtvlec

Polaris is Expanding - Buys into Brammo!

Brammo Empulse RR

Surely, you have already read this, but the news is still encouraging for the motorcycle industry and thus it must be brought to the attention of those involved in it. Polaris most recently took over the new Indian - which seems to be going well at this early stage - and now they have bought a minority share in Brammo. They do make a good bike, in my opinion, and seem to be walking a solid line with the business operations as well. Brammo, based here in Oregon, is on the path to real industry relevancy; soon, no one will laugh at electric motorcycles.

So, without further crap from me, here is the press release:
http://tinyurl.com/697mqj6

A Letter from Giovanni Castiglioni

Giovanni Castiglioni wrote a heartfelt letter to the many people who have been affected by the death of his father, Claudio Castiglioni - the man who saved the Italian motorcycle industry and built it into what we know and love today. Taken directly from the letter, in his own words:

I am writing you this letter to personally thank you for the outpouring of affection that you have demonstrated both towards my father and our family.

All of you have come to know Claudio, but I believe that I knew him more intimately than anybody else as he was more than a father to me, he was also my best friend, business partner, reference point and the person whom I could call on at anytime, day or night, to share both good and bad news.

I would like to tell you a little bit about him. In a few words he could only be defined as crazy, a volcano full of energy and infinite well of ideas… courageous, tenacious and a risk taker. Sometimes he would even risk a little bit too much.

He was different than most other business men in that he never put a lot of importance on money or personal success. He was driven by his emotions and lived for his company and his motorcycles.

My father personally re-launched the Italian motorcycle industry in the last 25 years and he did so risking everything, working day and night, fighting against a complex system in an industrial sector that is continually more difficult, and going up against the colossal motorcycle manufacturers without fear. Rather, he continually challenged them thanks to the brands and historic models that he came up with and developed.

I am not going to list all of the things that would not be if not for him, we all know the impact he had. But, I would like to explain how the company developed during the periods starting from 2007, the year that Husqvarna was sold to the multinational BMW, and 2008 when MV and Cagiva were sold to the glorious Harley-Davidson. In this period, the company was in financial difficulty due to the large investments and lack of liquidity. But, this was not the crisis that made him lose his resolve. Reflecting on the situation, we thought that our Group needed a stronger partner that would help us guarantee the continuity, as happened with a large number of privately held, family-owned companies in various sectors.

And that’s what we did.

But, companies run by these colossal giants do not always improve…

Besides the fact of the difficult times, the day that Harley-Davidson decided to put MV Agusta up for sale, my father whom was already battling his illness said “We will never give up on MV and all of the people who work there, we need to save it at all costs”.

I said to my father, for the thousandth time, that this would be crazy. But, his craziness infected even me and we came up with a new plan for this great adventure. A challenge against everyone…

Today, my father is no longer with us, but he has left us a grand inheritance: the best brand in the world, a four-cylinder line-up from 920cc to 1090cc with two F4’s and three Brutale’s that are all new and the new F3 675 and Brutale 675 that will allow us to increase our volumes while entering in the middle weight class. But, above all, he set the path for our future. Two concepts for new models were formed by him during the fight against his illness and I will continue his work developing these new models together with our strong team.

Today, MV is a solid company with strong economic results that are very different from those in the past and we are a company that is without debt, something very rare in these challenging economic times. This is a unique historical period, the crisis and the difficulty in finding financial support for product development do not help, but we are full of resolve. With our clear plan and direction we are certain that we will grow stronger than ever.

I cannot be everything that my father was, nor could the Engineer Bordi, who is a key figure in our present and future success, be. None of us can replace my father, but one thing is certain: none of us are afraid of the future and we will never give up. We will continue to go forward as before, but with even more determination and resolve. We will tighten our belts and make whatever sacrifices will need to be made to bring MV the success that it deserves.

My father has taught me many things, the most important of which is that you need to be a man and never give up.

We have all the tools at our disposal to achieve a new level of success and to grow together in the future. I am confident that we have all of your continued support for this great challenge.

Buon lavoro e grazie

Giovanni Castiglioni

Claudio Castiglioni Has Died

From the MV Agusta PR:

Claudio Castiglioni, 64 years old and President of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. passed away this morning in Varese, Italy after a courageous battle against an illness.

The man who personally elevated the Italian motorcycle industry to its current role as world leader and the businessman who excelled with MV Agusta, Cagiva, Ducati and Husqvarna brands has left us.

After his experience in the family business’s specializing in metalworking and manufacturing, in 1978 Castiglioni founded the company Cagiva which continually developed new and innovative motorcycles that have influenced the direction of the Italian and world motorcycle markets through the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Intuitive, tenacious, and a true visionary: these qualities drove Claudio Castiglioni to purchase the historic brands like Ducati, Husqvarna and MV Agusta. Coupled with his vision, diligence, hard work and financial investment these brands have once again become the protagonist of the two wheeled market.

Claudio Castiglioni has given us some of the most important motorcycles ever built, personifying performance, elegance and style: Cagiva Elefant and Mito, Ducati 916 and Monster as well as the MV Agusta F4 and Brutale. Finally, the President crafted the latest jewels in every detail, a testament to his insatiable passion for motorcycles: the MV Agusta F3 and Brutale 675.

Racing has always been one of his greatest passions, and his forays into competition have resulted in success at every level of world championship racing. With Cagiva came the titles of World Motocross Champion as well as the triumphs in the most enduring desert race, the Paris-Dakar. Also with Cagiva were the numerous successes in the 500 GP class. Ducati, under his guidance, dominated entire seasons of the World Superbike Championship thanks to models such as the 851 and 916. Finally, Husqvarna acquired a number of World Championships in Enduro, Motocross and Supermotard.

At the very center of his personal and professional history there is MV Agusta, to which he dedicated over 15 years creating motorcycles which have come to be considered the world wide icon for style and exclusivity as well as representing excellence Made in Italy. With the MV Agusta motorcycles, nothing was ever left to chance, the smallest details were reviewed and revised hundreds of times in order to create motorcycles that are simply unique, personifying perfection. Behind every detail, there are the ideas, heart and soul of Claudio Castiglioni.

For the past year, the President has left the guidance of MV Agusta to his son Giovanni, who has been by his side during many of the battles that have formed the story of the manufacture in Varese. These challenges, day after day, constructed and invisible fabric that was so well woven by this truly unique person and businessman. Giovanni, with the same passion and tenacity as his father, from this day forth will continue to create what Claudio Castiglioni described as “the most beautiful motorcycles in the world”.

The funeral will take place Friday August 19th at 14:00 in the Church of the Brunella in via Crispi, Varese (Italy).

PR ends...

Another legend leaves us behind...maybe he will be able to host a race team with Gary Nixon, who joins on The Other Side...

RIP

Moto Morini Dead? Looks Possible Now...

Yep, the bad news is that it seems the deal between Paolo Berlusconi, his New Garelli company, and Moto Morini has fallen apart. The interested parties are blaming the labor unions for this situation, but we will not know the whole truth until we hear from both sides. As it is now, though, there seems to be little hope that Moto Morini will be able to survive as it is. What will likely happen is a bankruptcy, selling of assets and then someone, possibly Berlusconi, will purchase the rights to the name and start all over again...All we can do is hope that Moto Morini will survive somehow...

http://tinyurl.com/23g72f7

Big Bad News from Moto Morini - Buyout Rejected by Unions

The trade unions working for Moto Morini have voted against the buyout offer presented by Paolo Berlusconi, which essentially kills the deal for now. Most familiar with the proceedings believe that Berlusconi will tender another offer within weeks. For everyone who wishes this marque a win for a change, let's hope a deal is reached very soon. It will be nice to see something good come from all the suffering...

http://tinyurl.com/23rr2jo

Oberdan Bezzi Brings Us the MMB1 - Bimota's First Moto Morini - And MMB2!

Unfortunately, it is just a drawing presently. And, of course, many malign the Moto Morini powerplant. However, this design concept just simply works. It is beautiful, Italian and looks like it would be one to add to my garage - if I can ever afford another motorcycle. Oberdan Bezzi is a talented idea man who has brought us some of the most interesting designs I have seen. It is called the MMB1 - meaning Moto Morini Bimota, first model. Just take a look and then read the story behind why this came about...

http://tinyurl.com/y4euvd2

Just a few days later...we get yet another design from the mind of Oberdan Bezzi! This one is a cross between a streetfighter and supermoto concept with a more upright ergonomic setup and a surprisingly edgy look. It sure would be nice to know that Bimota would at least consider something like these machines. I am certain they would sell well - at least for the boutique perfectionism of this fine Italian marque. It would be nice to get one or both of these lovely works of mechanical art! If only they will become reality...

http://tinyurl.com/25jc97a

HOPE! Hope for Moto Morini - Berlusconi Buys!

Brother to Italian Prime Minister Silvio, Paolo Berlusconi has purchased Moto Morini and may have just saved it from becoming history. This is great news if Mr. Berlusconi is a fan of the marque's heritage and its desire to build its own engines. The word is that a new business plan - and, hopefully, an emergence from bankruptcy - should be in place by the 2010 EICMA show in Milan. Berlusconi also owns Italian marque Garelli and is in serious talks to take over MV Agusta...the plot thickens...

http://tinyurl.com/y3ykd27

Maxxis Signs New Deal for British Motocross & Ducati Frameless Patent

Maxxis Tires has signed on to continue their title sponsorship of the ACU British Motocross Championship for three more years. Apparently, the deal is working very well for both the tire manufacturer and the ACU, so it will continue and will likely even become a larger series in the next few years. It's a match made in England!

http://tinyurl.com/ygpcd35


This story has been making the rounds of the moto-press for a few weeks, but we finally have a story which includes the patent information. This is all about the frameless motorcycle patent which was recently field by Ducati. It is a little different from Honda's similar design - of which the VFR1200F is an example - yet it still seems to accomplish the same thing - bolting the front and rear sections of the bike directly onto the engine. Take the link and have a close look at the details...

http://tinyurl.com/yhtdlxq

MV Agusta Target of a Berlusconi? & BSB Test at Brands Hatch

MV Agusta, as you surely know by now, is up for sale from current owners Harley-Davidson - the marque having some of the worst financial issues in the industry currently - and a group of Italian investors is interested in taking ownership. It turns out that one of those investors in the brother of the Italian Prime Minister; his name is Paolo Berlusconi. Burlusconi already owns one Italian marque, Garelli...

http://tinyurl.com/yg9or3r

The British Superbike Championship will begin in just a few weeks time during the Easter weekend. For now, though, the teams were out at Brands Hatch doing some testing this week. There is not a great deal of detail available as of yet, so take the link below to get an introduction. If I do find more BSB testing information, I will post it here.

http://tinyurl.com/ylso5az

PR from GNS Racing (Supersport): http://tinyurl.com/yfamlmg

PR from Quay Garage (Superbike): http://tinyurl.com/yf23wpt

S1000RR Boosts BMW Sales & BMW Looks for GS Owners

Almost the entire motorcycle industry in the US is now in a very deep depression, but BMW is not mired in that mess. The BMW S1000RR has since arrived in the States and is selling incredibly well. This has really improved sales for BMW here and it continues to go well for the German marque. The S1000RR is a revolutionary machine, so it is not that surprising as there are still people with money out there...they are just very careful about what they spend their money on. The S1000RR is worth it!

http://tinyurl.com/y8gmkx8

The BMW GS motorcycles are made to go anywhere you want to take them - and they often do. In the UK, a new race series has come about called the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy UK Qualifier. This will put riders through a severely tough course with the three top riders progressing to the International GS Trophy Finals in November of this year. BMW Motorrad UK, Simon Pavey and the BMW Off-Road Skills School have worked together for this purpose. For all the details - and a better description - please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9lt2lo

Harley-Davidison Is a Take-Over Target, Maybe & Aaron Gobert Races at Home

Given their lackluster sales, seriously declining profits, and issues with their employees, Harley-Davidson may be the target of a takeover bid. Private equity concern Kohlberg Kravis Roberts could be looking to pursue a leveraged buyout of the Motor Company. The stock market is thinking this will happen late this month or in April, based on their stock purchases. It could mark another turning point for the company that only recently was doing so well they went on a buying spree. I guess they should have saved their money, or maybe paid their executives a little more reasonably instead of giving themselves all 'golden parachutes'...Too bad the company has no concept of time!

http://tinyurl.com/yjjzt4h

Aaron Gobert is returning to Australia to race in the Australian Supersport Championship. Since the US AMA series is in dire straights financially and there is little factory support in the series, he could not land a ride in a series in which he actually has a championship season - and a decent record. Thus, he will be riding a Yamaha YZF-R6 which will actually be supported with help from Graves Motorsport, Gobert's former team. The ultimate destination for him is to ride the Aprilia RSV-4 for KWS Motorsports.

http://tinyurl.com/yj6kj73

Harley Acts Like Any Corporation & Danny Magoo Will Get His Van

It turns out that Harley-Davidson is paying their CEO just like many other ethically-challenged multi-national corporations. Given that The Motor Company has been shutting down production lines and laying off workers, you would think that they could save some of that money by paying the CEO who has presided over the most dramatic losses that the company has ever had would take a pay cut to keep the company running. Well, this is what you get when a motorcycle company goes corporate - their only concern is with their shareholders' value in the stock and the executive pay - they are Wall Street slaves. It's all about the $$$ for them. If I were a loyal H-D rider, I would begin a campaign to stop this sort of behavior...but, I am not one...

http://tinyurl.com/yf5kvbw

Does anyone remember when we heard the news that Bob Hannah was setting up a fund to purchase a full-mobility van for motocross legend Danny "Magoo" Chandler? Well, it has achieved its goal! Magoo will be getting his van very soon now. It was new Hall of Fame inductee brothers Bob and Geoff Fox who donated the final US$15K to the project. Everyone is labeling the Fox brothers as amazing at this point, and there is good reason for this! For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ykkyrnn

Graves Motorsport Takes on WERA & MIC Announces Election Results

Graves Motorsports, Yamaha's team inside the AMA Pro Racing ranks, is also taking on the WERA with rider Benny Solis and a host of support programs. Many racers have used Graves parts over the lats 20 years of their existence, and many more will be using them this year in the WERA Championship. You will even find several former AMA racers in the WERA paddock, so take in a round - you will not be disappointed.

http://tinyurl.com/yavldkj

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) has released the results of the election for their 2010 board of directors. The standard way they do this is to elect three of them one year and then the other three the next year, and they serve a two year term. Take the link to learn the details as the article does a better job of it than I would here.

http://tinyurl.com/ya2jkwv

More Morning Moto News - Zero and Sheheen & BSB Testing

Zero Motorcycles has just announced that they have signed Ralph Sheheen as spokesperson for their line of electric motorcycles. You all know Sheheen from the SPEED Channel, or at least you should as he hosts just about every motorcycle competition on the TV station. He will join them immediately and will join them on their multi-city promotional tour which begins on 20 March 2010 in Washington D.C. For all the details, don't forget to take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9lkyyu

Josh Brookes has taken the lead at the pre-season British Superbike Championship testing at Gaudix. The Spanish circuit saw him take the unofficial lead away from Stuart Easton and Tommy Hill with his HM Plant Honda. The testing is certainly adding to Brookes' confidence and his belief that he does have a chance at winning the whole thing by season's end. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8d5ssw

Rumor: Ducati and Piaggio May Merge!

With the economy still in the toilet, Ducati and Piaggio both are still feeling the sting of lower sales of both bikes and licensed accessories - few people have enough money to buy anything. Add that to the rumors of a possible sale of the Piaggio Group of motorcycle and scooter manufacturers and you get this rumor: Ducati and Piaggio to merge. It is nowhere near confirmed, but it could mark a point where the Italian motorcycle industry can grow and may actually be able to compete with the Japanese (and British and American) on their terms. So, stay tuned and we will see if this comes to fruition or is forgotten by history.

http://tinyurl.com/ylaa5lv

http://tinyurl.com/yfc6oho

Wednesday Morning Moto News - MV Agusta Buyer? & Gatornationals NHRA

MV Agusta seems to have a few suitors for its long-awaited sale from Harley-Davidson - at least long-awaited by me. BMW is one of the companies interested in the purchase - however, there has been little comment from the German company since the rumor spread. Next, there is a consortium of Italian businesspeople who may also be interested in the purchase. Whoever it is, I truly hope they do not force MV to compromise its designs in the name of short-term profits!

http://tinyurl.com/ydcxv46

The opening round of the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle drag racing series is this coming weekend in Gainesville, Florida. The event is well-known as the Gatornationals and it marks the 41st year of its run. With this article we get a closer look at one Craig Treble and his return to Don Schumacher racing. Take the link and have a preview of this weekend's coming attractions.

http://tinyurl.com/yejqygm

http://tinyurl.com/yklr4dd

This piece is about Katie Sullivan's trip to this event: http://tinyurl.com/ygwu7hc

More Afternoon Moto News - Livia Lancelot & Euro Gossip

Livia Lancelot is a female motocross rider who has reached the highest level of competition - the World Championship Female Motocross and has the 2009 title as well! From France, Lancelot has been racing since 1992 and has competed in the USA and Europe before entering the WMX series in 2005. She is worth a look if you are trying to find the leaders of today's women racers...or just an awesome motorcycle rider!

http://tinyurl.com/ycptdqp

Yep, we have another 'Euro Gossip' column from our friends at MotorcycleUSA. There is some wrapping up of other stories we have seen floating around in the ether(net) and there are some new stories as well. Most of the information you will probably already know - if you have been paying attention to this blog. So, just take the link and scan around to find the information you want to read.

http://tinyurl.com/y88w5qj

More Morning Moto News - MCI Celebrates 100 Years & MotoGP Rookies Cup

The Motor Cycle Industry is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and they are letting it be known that motorcycling provides some 3 billion British Pounds in added value to the UK. Of course, they plan on keeping up their best work and improving on other programs with the main goal to protect, promote and expand the motorcycle industry in the United Kingdom. Give them a hand by taking the link and getting more detail on what is planned this year!

http://tinyurl.com/yagf6zy

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup has started to accept applications now for the 2010 selection season (for competition in the Cup in 2011). If you are young enough or know someone who is - get them to head on over and fill out an application for the series. Of course, there are expenses to worry about, but a chance at becoming a World Champion motorcycle racer is worth a great deal to a great many people. Take the link and get your details!

http://tinyurl.com/yf8wgha