Aprila Update - Good News for V2

From MCNs ....

A deal to save Aprilia was on the verge of being signed on Monday
night (May 3).

It will see Italian banks offer a lifeline by covering a £5 million
interest payment currently owed by the firm. And the good news is that
the banks’ support is likely to mean the firm gets back to full
production sooner rather than later.

At the moment just three of the seven Aprilia production lines are
running and they are making bikes in only limited numbers. The lines
that are running are mainly making Milles and Tuonos. Four lines
haven’t produced a machine in at least two weeks.

But the banks will be keen to get them rolling again to make sure they
get their money back.

Most workers at the Noale factory are expecting to return to work by
the end of this week when all seven production lines should resume.

 

Yeah, they are having problems. I am concerned because I like and
ride Aprilia's.

Looks like Ducati would buy the Guzzi name....which would suit me just
fine.

Another rumor is that American auto manufacturers are looking to get
into the game. I can just see it now. "Aprilia....quality is job
one."

Just fucking shoot me.


--Fullstate

 

Isn't Texas Pacific Group the lead investment company in Ducati these
days?

 

You know.....I don't know the answer to that one. I'm not a huge
Ducati fan. I like their bikes. I would own one if I was wealthy and
didn't mind that it was unrideable 90% of the time. ;-)

Ducati makes a very interesting motorcycle. They just don't make a
very reliable one, and at the very least not one that is inexpensive
to maintain. yeah, I know....someone will always pop up and say they
never had problems with theirs, but they can't say that they haven't
spent a fortune in maintenance.


--Fullstate

 

Got a pal who has a ST4 and loves it. And you're right, the moment that
ceases to be the case, the owner dumps the bike, but it's a nice piece
of machinery and they are rolling artwork.

spendy in the fine Italian tradition of Ferrarri and certainly not run
of the mill. I thought reliability had improved considerably after the
refinancing of a few years ago with TPG over seeing things business
wise. I wouldn't mind having one, but they just dont fit me; neither
does a tight Italian suit, the taper is wrong. Sure are pretty and sure
are fast tho'.

 

I test rode an ST4. I liked it. I like it a LOT better than that
piece of crap called the Multistrada. I rode that and hated it. I
can't believe it gets such rave reviews.

Quality has definitely improved. No doubt about it, but the
maintenance on the bike is still very costly. Much more so than
almost any other bike.

--Fullstate

 

Correct Fullstate ... but I'm not sure at what percentage of
ownership? However, Duc sales have really slowed down, at least in
USA sales. There is even some really attractive financing to spur
sales. At once point, a free add-ons included 24 months of
maintenance free services! And on a Duc, that some coin.

And so it goes.

 

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