Steve G. Posted January 2, 2006 Posted January 2, 2006 Had an interesting talk with a local Guzzi guy who mentions big changes with distribution/sales of Moto Guzzi. Thought I'd run them by you guys to see if you can confirm these as truth. The biggest change here locally is that distributorship of Canadian bound bikes will no longer originate out of the U.S., that this will now happen out of Toronto. Whether bikes shipped from Mandello are sent directly to Toronto, or still sent to the U.S. first, will have a big impact on retail prices. No confirmation of this. You guys may already know this, [i didn't] that MGNA will be moving/has moved to the east coast, New York from what I understand, part of Piaggio's plan. The biggest news of changes may just be a bit of talk, but perhaps we can put this story to rest. Apparently Piaggio wants to change the sales at the retail level with Aprilia, and Moto Guzzi. This entails selling these machines at shops which have European bike only, that Guzzi and Aprilia will not be seen new for sale along side Japanese or American made bikes. If this is true, this could dramatically change who and where our dealers are in North America. It would certainly lower the amount of dealers. And I can see at least 4 shops locally affected with Guzzi and Aprilia. And finally, Piaggio will not be selling any of it's small bikes [Vespa, Derbi] along side the big bikes, that they will be sold at independent stores [i can confirm this in Vancouver]. Not sure if this all is good news or bad news! Ciao, Steve G.
Van Posted January 3, 2006 Posted January 3, 2006 Hi Steve! How's it go'in? Very interesting bit of news, though how will it affect us ?? l don't have any real experience with our two local dealers yet, but as l've heard nothing but good things about the guys out in Abbotsford from helicopterjim l would hate to hear that they would be taken out of the Guzzi loop...........It must be hard enough to make a business work if you are dealing with speciality, low volume, non-main line type bikes, as it is, never mind the factories dicking you around. Cheers Van
Steve G. Posted January 3, 2006 Author Posted January 3, 2006 Hi Van, It will affect things I think, if you get all your service work, and buy all your parts from the local shop. Right now, the local shops have tremendous difficulty competing with local [and not even local] U.S. Guzzi outlets with parts prices. It's not their fault, it's the bloody government in Ottawa that adds tax to everything that moves here. I'm very willing to buy everything I need from my local dealer, but if I'm easily able to buy it for less than 50% south of the border, I'm sorry but I am. My good buddy business travels to Houston and San Antonio every month. He drives right by MPH on the highway there. Factory filters are worth 10$cdn, up here 27$cdn plus tax. If this rumour of getting Guzzis off of floors housing Japanese is true, it will affect things. The Guzzi sales are relatively small, and I can't help but think that sales of Japanese stuff helps the dealer along and offsets the low profit margin of Guzzi dealership status. I can't help but think it's going to raise prices. Luckily, except for the odd ECU check with a diagnostic, these things are stone simple to mechanically maintain. Ciao, Steve G.
Van Posted January 3, 2006 Posted January 3, 2006 Sigh.......... What WAS l thinking about things getting better??? bye the way, thats a really nice collection of bikes you have there Cheers Van
helicopterjim R.I.P. Posted January 3, 2006 Posted January 3, 2006 Hello Steve I have heard much the same as you have except the part about no sales alongside Japanese bikes. I'll definitely be checking on that one. It seems that the same old problem of contacting someone in management at MGNA is at present just as hard or harder than it was before although that may have a lot to do with the changeover. Hopefully it will get better. There most stunning news I have heard (although not surprising) is that with the bikes being imported directly to Canada (even if they come through the USA on thier way) is that they will all have to be recertified by Transport Canada (the greates bastion of infinite wisdom known to mankind). MGNA is trying to alleviate this but time will tell. I'll check with the guys at Valley and see what is the latest they have heard. Maybe I'll have to open my own Guzzi shop .......
Anthro Posted January 4, 2006 Posted January 4, 2006 MG the new Piaggio's face... I called to NYork the new MG Piaggio's headquarter... Just to ask when they will start shipping parts to the dealers - I have being waiting for 2 months for parts to get my bike back -... They were not willing to share any info with me ... They treat me as if they were selling too many bikes and in no need for good relations existing customers . It seems that Piaggio customer care would become be the best promoter of Jap bikes ... Sharing the sales floor: Sometime ago I asked for the MG's dealer's package (with the idea to start a small business) Piaggio's form ask what other bikes you sell and at the alternatives are just about all the known Jap brands. I do not believe that those alternatives are posted just to tell someone "sorry you can not distribute our product". They ask about regulations regarding bike dealers at your county and so forth... I just would like to be more positive, but the change is too bad comparing with the guys answering the phone in Georgia (former MG parts location)... Anthro
Steve G. Posted January 4, 2006 Author Posted January 4, 2006 Sigh..........What WAS l thinking about things getting better??? bye the way, thats a really nice collection of bikes you have there Cheers Van 73018[/snapback] Thanks Van! I must say, I had a very close look at your bike when it was at British Italian for sale, actually there were 2 Tenni models at the time. Such a cool color scheme, lovely looking thing I must say! I'm sure you must have alot of pride of ownership. Regarding the words that Moto Guzzi may not find itself on the same sales floor as non European machines, this is not just the plan for Canada, but all of North America. The thought that Transport Canada is getting involved in my hobby/passion again causing hassles in importing these machines makes me sick. Why don't you start up your own dealership Jim? You can give these civil servants crap for me!! Ciao, Steve G.
O2 V11 Posted January 4, 2006 Posted January 4, 2006 Regarding the words that Moto Guzzi may not find itself on the same sales floor as non European machines, this is not just the plan for Canada, but all of North America. Ciao, Steve G. 73048[/snapback] Steve, if Piaggio's proposal that dealerships through North America are to be European only I guess the whole world would be eventually expected to follow suit. Here in N.Z. our 4 dealerships all sell Japanese and or American bikes in conjunction with Moto Guzzis. I could not see anyone wanting to be a Piaggio group dealer only, it would not be financially sustainable. Effectively that would be the death knell for the marque here. Not a nice thought at all. Rob
Steve G. Posted January 4, 2006 Author Posted January 4, 2006 Steve, if Piaggio's proposal that dealerships through North America are to be European only I guess the whole world would be eventually expected to follow suit. Here in N.Z. our 4 dealerships all sell Japanese and or American bikes in conjunction with Moto Guzzis. I could not see anyone wanting to be a Piaggio group dealer only, it would not be financially sustainable. Effectively that would be the death knell for the marque here. Not a nice thought at all.Rob 73055[/snapback] I'm thinking the same thing.
bigbikerrick Posted January 4, 2006 Posted January 4, 2006 Had an interesting talk with a local Guzzi guy who mentions big changes with distribution/sales of Moto Guzzi. Thought I'd run them by you guys to see if you can confirm these as truth. The biggest change here locally is that distributorship of Canadian bound bikes will no longer originate out of the U.S., that this will now happen out of Toronto. Whether bikes shipped from Mandello are sent directly to Toronto, or still sent to the U.S. first, will have a big impact on retail prices. No confirmation of this. You guys may already know this, [i didn't] that MGNA will be moving/has moved to the east coast, New York from what I understand, part of Piaggio's plan. The biggest news of changes may just be a bit of talk, but perhaps we can put this story to rest. Apparently Piaggio wants to change the sales at the retail level with Aprilia, and Moto Guzzi. This entails selling these machines at shops which have European bike only, that Guzzi and Aprilia will not be seen new for sale along side Japanese or American made bikes. If this is true, this could dramatically change who and where our dealers are in North America. It would certainly lower the amount of dealers. And I can see at least 4 shops locally affected with Guzzi and Aprilia. And finally, Piaggio will not be selling any of it's small bikes [Vespa, Derbi] along side the big bikes, that they will be sold at independent stores [i can confirm this in Vancouver]. Not sure if this all is good news or bad news! Ciao, Steve G. 72856[/snapback] If this news is correct that will put a nail in the coffin of moto guzzi as far as Im concerned. My local dealer ,Renaissance Motorcycles in Tucson sells Guzzi, Ducati,aprillia,Mv agusta,and a bunch of scooters,scooter sales and service being a large part of his business,as Tucson is a college town and scooters are very popular for transportation. If piaggio wont let dealers sell "big" bikes alongside scooters,what will that do to a dealer such as this? Renaissance is a very good dealer,and the owner steve is a true guzzi enthusiast, I would hate to have them not sell and service guzzis in the future....
mdude Posted January 4, 2006 Posted January 4, 2006 If this news is correct that will put a nail in the coffin of moto guzzi as far as Im concerned. 73061[/snapback] lots of black thoughts here, and death looming in the horizon. I dont know, what you guys get is what we have had for ages: specialist stores for italian bikes. (but with one or two other European specialist marques as side orders; KTM/Triumph/Husquarna...just like FBF does it) You dont buy a Suzuki on impuls if your heart lies in Italy and vice versa, and it takes a special personality to maintain the relationships with the Italian manufacturers. The thing about this that puzzles me most is the decision/proposal/thought to not sell scooters/mopeds alongside big bikes. As far as I know, recruitment to the big bike sector is the major concern of all bike builders. How can you get a scooterdude to consider a bigger bike if he's not tempted and get to touch and see it and test it? I think that one must be wrong.
helicopterjim R.I.P. Posted January 13, 2006 Posted January 13, 2006 Latest news is that Piaggio Canada will be the Canadian distributor of Moto Guzzi and Aprilia. To start bikes will still come through USA to Toronto then to dealers but if sales increase then directly to Canada. The hassles with Transport Canada are not recertifying (whew) but in reregistering the new distributor. Have also heard that 2 or 3 Breva 100's may have arrived in Seattle. Canada will be another 3 monthes yet. Griso another 6 monthes.
Steve G. Posted January 13, 2006 Author Posted January 13, 2006 6 months, mmmmm.... Sounds like they really want to sell bikes here. So what are the Guzzi dealers supposed to sell until something shows up? T-shirts? Ciao, Steve G.
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