The Historic Moto Guzzi factory is set to close as a result of new merger with Piaggio, sources say. The factory has been based in Mandello Del Lario since 1921
This merger, which will be completed at management level by the end of
November, will create a single global competitor on the two-wheeler
market in terms of size and resources, says Piaggio. And while
the distinguishing characteristics of the Moto Guzzi brand will remain
intact, it permits what the parent calls “significant economies of
scale by rationalising the technical, industrial, design and style
operations of the two companies”.
Industry analysts expect a transfer of production and related
activities to Aprilia’s base at Noale near Venice or the main Piaggio
plant at Pontedera near Pisa. The latter probably has plenty of spare
capacity after the off-shoring of much of its 50cc scooter output to
China and light truck manufacturing to India
To visit virtually, see my Italian Lessons dispatches on the web.
Fortunately, this is probably just a bit of lousy journalism, rehashing old news with a few hasty opinions tossed in that are bound to generate a lot of response.
The factory is currently being ‘upgraded’ — the permit is for all of production, engineering and logistics. Would that be done just before closing the site?
From what I hear from well-informed people here in France, only the R&D division is to merge with its Aprilia homologue in Noale.
So we can have some hopes to be able to meet at next year’s GMG after all!!