One of the many repercussions of KTM parent Pierer Mobility’s financial collapse was the return of MV Agusta to independent ownership under the Art of Mobility company belonging to the Russian Sardarov family. And like the rest of the bike trade, the Varese-based firm is trying to adapt to a new reality. It’s issued a statement outlining its progress on finalising the separation process from KTM, which, it says, is going well. It seems the exact legal position isn’t completely finalised as yet. The statement says: “The official transfer of full ownership from Pierer Mobility AG to Art of Mobility is approaching its final stages. This marks a pivotal step in the company’s strategy to reaffirm its independence and strengthen its position in the global motorcycle market.”
The statement goes on to detail plans for international expansion, relaunching its spare parts operations, which are currently still operating through the KTM logistics chain, and working on a new strategy for operational efficiency and brand identity. The firm has moved its historical Centro Stile design office, formerly the Cagiva Research Centre, from San Marino to the Varese factory.
In an online press conference at the start of June, BDN’s Alan Dowds was able to speak to MV Agusta executive director Luca Martin. He asked about plans for MV Agusta’s distribution and dealer networks in the UK. Martin said: “The UK is one of the markets where we want to enter with our own subsidiary. Its one of the markets that has the highest potential but has also been suffering the most disruption in terms of spare parts distribution. The reason is very simple: there were agreements with a logistic provider that caused a lot of trouble for dealers. We attempted to resolve the issue with urgency directly from Varese, but we now know that the support was insufficient.
Luca Martin, MV Agusta executive director“And on top of this, there has been, I admit, a mistake during the KTM management because we allocated a lot of Euro 5 bikes to the UK that were not registered. And now we have an allocation of Euro 5 motorcycles dedicated to the UK market, that we can’t sell there.
“So, to be extremely honest, the UK is one of the markets that we are really underperforming in. But at the same time, we want to return with our own management, with our own team, and really listen and try to improve our performance.”
Encouraging news from Varese, with the UK very much on the firm’s radar, it seems. Martin also stated that the firm is developing new engine platforms and updating model ranges, with new metal set to debut before the Milan show this autumn.
In the meantime, MV has released a stunning special ‘Ago’ limited edition of its Superveloce 1000 to celebrate the 83rd birthday of its most famous rider, Giacomo Agostini. Priced at €83,000, just 83 of the 208bhp carbon-clad superbikes will be made, all with a special key made from an actual piece of metal from one of Agostini’s Imola 500GP winning trophies.