This just in from Aprilia

[helicopterjim R.I.P.]

BMW MOTORRAD AND APRILIA S.P.A.

SIGN CO-OPERATION CONTRACT

 

 

Munich, 15 March 2005 - BMW Motorrad and Aprilia S.p.A., Noale, Italy (Piaggio Group), have successfully completed talks regarding a renewed collaboration in the motorcycle sector. A co-operation contract in the areas of development and production was signed in Munich, concerning a new product offer which will add in the future to the market segments currently covered by BMW. Production is due to take place in the Italian Aprilia plants at Noale and Scorzè near Venice.

 

From 1993 up until the end of 1999, Aprilia has been manufacturing the first generation of the very successful single cylinder F 650 for BMW Motorrad. Production of the successor model was then moved to the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin.

 

Herbert Diess, Head of BMW Motorrad, stated: "This is a further extension of BMW's motorcycle range. Models of the existing single cylinder series (F Series) are not affected by these developments. Among other things, we see this co-operation as a key contribution to the reinforcement of the European motorcycle and supply industry".

For the BMW Group, collaborations of this type are useful tools for freeing its own resources for other strategic goals. "Time to market" and profitability are key elements when making decisions about extending production capacity through outsourcing processes. Aprilia S.p.A., which since December 30, 2004, is 100% controlled by the Piaggio Group (Pontedera, Pisa, Italy), will bring to the co-operation agreement its development and production capabilities in the motorcycle sector.

 

"This co-operation will further consolidate the total volume of components manufactured for the BMW Group in Italy. In 2004, this was worth around 420 million euros (including 62 million euros concerning motorcycles), thus making Italy one of the most important supplier countries of the BMW Group", said Marco Saltalamacchia, President of BMW Italia.

"The agreement with BMW Motorrad confirms Aprilia's reputation and technological and design capabilities", said Roberto Colaninno, Chairman of both Piaggio Group and Aprilia. "For us it is a further significant step in the recovery process of Aprilia as one of the most important motorcycle brands and manufacturers in Italy and Europe, since its acquisition by Piaggio".

 

Rocco Sabelli, Piaggio and Aprilia Chief Executive Officer, also pointed out that "European companies' ability to compete in the global markets is enhanced by such co-operations, which ultimately aim to optimise investments in R&D as well as product and technology innovation".

[callison]

Can you say "R45" as a V-Twin?