Cycle News

Cycle News 2016 Issue 21 June 1

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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IN THE WIND P38 CASTIGLIONI CONFIRMS POLARIS INTEREST IN MV AGUSTA M V Agusta's President and CEO Giovanni Castiglioni has confirmed to Cycle News that Polaris, the U.S company responsible for Victory and Indian Motorcycles, is in talks with MV Agusta about acquiring a majority share in the legendary Italian brand. "I can confirm that we've been in discussions with them [Polar- is] about some form of partner- ship, just as with other compa- nies interested in investing in the commercially successful pre- mium brand that is MV Agusta," Castiglioni exclusively told Cycle News European correspondent Alan Cathcart in an extensive interview, part one of which is live in this issue of Cycle News, on page 84. "But we absolutely have not made any agreement with Polaris at this stage, even in draft form. Beyond that, I can't comment any further." The alignment of MV Agusta and Polaris could be a perfect marriage for both companies. Polaris has been on a spending spree over the last five years, acquiring not just Indian Motor- cycles but also electric giant Brammo. Purchasing a control- ling share in MV Agusta would give Polaris a foot in the door of the sportbike and sport touring market, both of which Victory and Indian do not service. The MV Agusta name would also be a massive commercial feather in Polaris' cap. Castiglioni made the com- ments to Cathcart at the MV's Varese headquarters in Italy. He also noted the partnership with Mercedes AMG has been noth- ing short of a disaster. "Mercedes was interested in joining up with MV Agusta as a partner by purchasing equity in it, but I'm sorry to say the part- nership has been disastrous, a total failure. I mean, there is no partnership to speak of," Cas- tiglioni said. "They [Mercedes] made no strategic use of MV. Zero." On page 84 of this issue, Castiglioni reveals the full extent of MV Agusta's financial and commercial hardship, and how he plans to rectify the compa- ny's ills. CN Could Polaris and MV Agusta be about to jump into bed together? It could go that way, according to MV President Giovanni Castiglioni.

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