MV Agusta, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer has announced a long-term partnership treaty with Loncin Motor Co, a Chinese industrial heavy-weight firm. The agreement will allow the Italian manufacturer to bring out a new portfolio of 350-500cc motorcycles. It is the brand’s first initiative for entering into the affordable premium motorcycle segment, something which has already been done by its European competitors.
According to the legal partnership, MV Agusta will be responsible for designing and developing four models under the 350-500cc range while the Loncin Motor Co will take care of the manufacturing of these motorcycles in China. The exclusive manufacturing by the Chinese brand will allow MV Agusta to take the Asian markets into perspective including the highly competitive Indian market.
According to MV Agusta, all four 350-500cc motorcycles will be based on the brand’s existing DNA with unique styling, signature exhaust sound, and sporty riding ergonomics. The motorcycles will have similar styling bits though based on the underlined trellis frame.
The first model out of the four upcoming motorcycles is expected to hit the market by the end of 2021. Though MV Agusta has declared that the motorcycles will be completely designed by them, it is not yet clear whether their underpinnings will be based on the Loncin platform or not. According to the reports, the 350-500cc motorcycles will be joining MV Agusta’s naked, sports and touring portfolio.
Apart from entering into the lower displacement segment, MV Agusta will also be working with Loncin Motor Co to develop their 800cc motorcycles. The Italian brand will take care of the design and development of the high displacement motorcycle range for the Chinese brand which will further launch the 800cc motorcycles under its premium brand VOGE. The partnership between the two firms has not yet confirmed the price bracket under which the 350-500cc motorcycles will be placed.
Commenting on the recent partnership, Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motor, said: “This strategic alliance is an important step to consolidate our vision for the future of MV Agusta. Our target is to reaffirm our leadership in the production of upper-premium motorcycles, while also enlarging our customer base by offering a broader range of products without compromising our distinctive design and performance. We are looking forward to growing with the right partners and the right products, making sure that our clients enjoy the larger choice of models, all of which share the same DNA and MV Agusta pedigree.”
