Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128220
The ....... PIep Ie Robert Z1lett1's ........ but there·s _ _ tile hortzMI _ that tile ........... IlCqUIred Yor - IncIudla.. _ ATY. IlIIondUI wtg also InIrocIuce tile Nuda lit tile _ _ show in S............. uct ready for the world's press to test at Adria Raceway in May last year. It seems we got it right first time because we got a very positive response from all the joumalists who rode it, and there were only a very few detail changes we had to make after that. But for reasons to do with logistics, it wasn't until November, 2002, that we delivered our first customer bike, manufacturing another 22 before the year's end. This was because we decided to construct a proper factory for Mondial, here at Arcore just a couple of kilometers from the Monza Autodromo where our marque scored so many famous Grand Prix victories -and since the turn of the year this has been in full operation. This year, 2003, we have a production target of 326 bikes, as we get into top gear in terms of organization and product, but from 2004 onwards we plan to build just 750 bikes each year under the Mondial name, split between two models. It will always be a high-quality, low-volume, prestige product. HOW large at present is the workforce charged with doing that? There is 16 staff at the moment working for Mondial, but we are in the process of transferring the entire Vor operation here to Q A Arcore, which comprises another 18 people at present. However, I fully expect to make some consolidations - there's no point having two people doing the same office job either side of an intemal wall for two small specialist companies like these. We'll end up with a workforce of around 30 people. Q A Why did you acquire Vor? For three reasons. First, because what I want to build here is a proper motorcycle company with a full range of models running from dirtbikes to the street; secondly because Vor has achieved respect in the marketplace for the quality of its products, which have been proven to be excellent in the testing ground of competition and in a short space of time have acquired a loyal clientele; and thirdly because it was good business - I bought it for a favorable price, reflecting the fact that it was in liquidation. This had only really come about because the company was starved of investment - so now I have rectified that situation, and I'm certain Vor will move forward strongly from here. What level had Vor's production reached in the five years since it was founded in 1998 out of the remains of the original Vertemati concern? Last year, 2002, they made just under 2500 bikes, of which 45 percent were enduro models, Q A another 45 percent Supermoto bikes, and just 10 percent motocross. This year our target is to build 800 motorcycles, which is that reduced because we're only restarting in May after missing out most of the selling season - but in 2004 we aim to build, and sell, 4300 bikes under the Vor name. Probably this will be with a similar mix of models -we're very strong in Supermoto, especially, and I think this will benefit us as the market for this kind of bike keeps growing. Q TO do this, presumably you'll have to increase the floorspace of the present Mondial factory, which certainly doesn't have the room for that level of production at present? sure. Right now we have 1800 square meters [6480 square feet], of covered space, and we're just completing expanding this to 2500 square meters [9000 square feet], which will be sufficient to meet our production targets for both brands. We already recommenced Vor production on a limited basis in their existing factory at Ronco Briantino, because all 800 bikes we plan to construct this year have already been sold to dealers and importers around the world, but by June we will have completed integrating the two companies here at Arcore. We have also stepped up development work on the new Vor models we will introduce at the Salone di Milano in September, when we will also launch a new Mondial Naked bike based on the Piega, but with very dramatic and effective styling, quite unlike anything else ever built before using a Honda V-twin engine. We have registered exclusive use of the name Nuda, and that is what the bike will be called. Then alongside that and the Piega Superbike, on the same stand will be the new Vor Enduro, Supermoto and Motocross models, plus a Vor ATV quad we have designed for the American market, and an ovaltrack racebike which is already bringing Vor to the center of the winners' circle in AMA National racing. So we hope that with the wide variety of high-quality products we will have on display, people will see we're serious about what we're doing. A cue I e nevws JUNE 25, 2003 47