As reported earlier on MD, the Italian scooter giant Piaggio (owner of the Vespa, Piaggio and Gilera brands) purchased twenty percent of MV Agusta in July of this year, with the expectation of further investment by Piaggio.
Since Piaggio already has the Gilera brand (expected to be developed into a significant motorcycle marque, restoring its past glory), perhaps, the greatest synergies generated by the investment will be derived from MV’s Husqvarna dirt bike line.
Now that KTM has joined the ranks of the Japanese powerhouses in U.S. off-road racing (as also reported by MD), expect Husqvarna to follow close behind. It’s 2002 line includes electric start, four-stroke 250 and 450 models for the U.S. market (in both motocross and enduro guises). Extremely light and state-of-the-art, Husky undoubtedly intends to expand its U.S. market share. Piaggio’s financial backing will only speed this process and could certainly assist Husky’s racing efforts.
