Moto Guzzi visit 2008

[Steve G.]

Just got back from a 3 1/2 wk visit riding bikes in the Alps/Dolomites, followed by a visit to Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Ducati, and an afternoon with Mr. Pierro Laverda. Comments and pics later, but have to mention how,,, not disturbed, but how surprised the overall view/condition of the factory is in. We went on a Monday morning after a Sunday night rain, and the poor old factory was springing leaks everywhere, water even running through the main reception area. We were given a personal tour by a very nice fellow in charge of public relations, a recent MV recruit. Of course the museum, and also a look at a new police spec Norge just off the line, and the PR bikes shop. She could certainly use a coat of paint, but sort of got the word, not from anyone at Guzzi, but by another source in Italy, that Piaggio is really holding back spending, as things are apparently tight at Piaggio. Golly, not again!!!

Steve

[Paul Minnaert]

well you know the guy bought AItalia too.

[Greg Field]

Go find the original Oldsmobile factory. That building means as much to General Motors as the Mandello factory means to the clowns at Piggio.

[gstallons]

That is NOT encouraging. Capilatism doesn't have taste or appreciation when it is powered by profit margin. Maybe they will get rid of the old buildings and put up a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

 

p.s. Do you think anyone on the Board of GM could tell you who Ransom E. Olds was or what an REO Speedwagon (or even the music group)was or is ?

[chris a]

Saw in the papers at the weekend that Alitalia was at the brink financially and looking for more govt handout....

[macguzzi]

iN THE OLD DAYS WE HAD VERY RICH GUYS WHO WANTED TO SPEND MONEY ON THEIR HOBBIES THEY WERE PHILANTHROPIC ABOUT THIS. RICH GUYS NOWADAYS JUST WANT TO HANG ONTO THE CASH, GUZZI NEEDS A JOHN BLOOR OR ANOTHER DETOMASO.

[Skeeve]

GUZZI NEEDS ...ANOTHER DETOMASO.

 

No, I don't think so! One was just about all Guzzi could handle! [lest we forget, the first one wanted to do away w/ the big twins entirely, eliminated the El Dorado when it was the only Guzzi selling in any numbers in the U.S., thereby permanently crippling the company by cutting off the dealer network at its knees just when it was starting to grow. Brilliant! <_>

[tmcafe]

Now that we've seen the mock digital future versions of MV Agusta with ape hangers, tassels, straight staggered pipes and studded leather saddlebags, at least we can safely bet that Guzzi isn't going to get Hardley any cash from that side . The problem is that nobody there (Piaggio, etc) seems to care about the Guzzi brand as they should.

[gstallons]

You are joking about the MV ...?

 

Oh well you could ride it to Sturgis or Little Sturgis ?