Harley-Davidson, Inc. has retained the services of French investment banking group BNP Paribas to help sell the sportbike manufacturer MV Agusta, thus taking the next step in divesting the Italian brand from the Milwaukee company. Helping fuel speculation, BNP Paribas, with its team based out of Milan, Italy, is another sign that MV could end up in Italian hands after its sale concludes.
“MV Agusta is a highly desirable company for the right buyer,” says John Olin, Harley-Davidson senior vice president and chief financial officer. “MV Agusta has a proud heritage and strong brand, high-quality exciting and beautiful products, and passionate enthusiasm on the part of its customers, employees and dealers, and we are confident in our expectation that we will identify an appropriate buyer.”
After becoming a part of Harley-Davidson, Inc. in August of 2008, MV Agusta began turning itself around under Harley management, revamping its 2010 range with new versions of its F4 superbike and Brutale naked bike. While both models carry-on with the themes first inked by Massimo Tamburini, 2009 marks the first time MV Agusta has revisited those bikes’ designs since their inception.
Source: Harley-Davidson; Photo: © 2009 Asphalt & Rubber
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