Moto Morini sold to China's Zhongnen for 10millions

[Steph]

https://www.motorbox.com/moto/magazine-moto/moto-novita/i-cinesi-di-zhongneng-comprano-la-moto-morini-per-10-milioni-di-euro


Google translate:

"A PIECE OF HISTORY ... That goes away, even the Moto Morini gives in to the charm of the powerful Chinese money . Just yesterday Ruggiero Jannuzzelli and Mr. Chen Huaneng, owner of the Chinese two-wheeler Zhongneng, have found the agreement for the sale of the Italian Brand for a figure close to 10 million euros.

TURBULATED PAST The recent past of Morini has not been at all quiet. In 2011 , after years of maladministration, the bankruptcy , then the arrival of the Jannuzzelli family that has revived the fortunes, moving production in the Milan hinterland and launching new models, almost craft-like.

FUTURE PROMETTENT The press release issued by Morini suggests a bright future for the brand and its employees: " Mr. Chen, president of Zhongneng has major projects to increase the company's business that will remain in Italy , projects that concern both current products and new models even with different displacements ". "We are certain - concludes the statement - to entrust Moto Morini, its employees, its suppliers and its loyal customers to an important industrial reality that will make the company grow well."

[JJ]

https://www.motorbox.com/moto/magazine-moto/moto-novita/i-cinesi-di-zhongneng-comprano-la-moto-morini-per-10-milioni-di-euro


Google translate:

"A PIECE OF HISTORY ... That goes away, even the Moto Morini gives in to the charm of the powerful Chinese money . Just yesterday Ruggiero Jannuzzelli and Mr. Chen Huaneng, owner of the Chinese two-wheeler Zhongneng, have found the agreement for the sale of the Italian Brand for a figure close to 10 million euros.

TURBULATED PAST The recent past of Morini has not been at all quiet. In 2011 , after years of maladministration, the bankruptcy , then the arrival of the Jannuzzelli family that has revived the fortunes, moving production in the Milan hinterland and launching new models, almost craft-like.

FUTURE PROMETTENT The press release issued by Morini suggests a bright future for the brand and its employees: " Mr. Chen, president of Zhongneng has major projects to increase the company's business that will remain in Italy , projects that concern both current products and new models even with different displacements ". "We are certain - concludes the statement - to entrust Moto Morini, its employees, its suppliers and its loyal customers to an important industrial reality that will make the company grow well."

Well, here we GO!  The Chinese certainly have the money and manufacturing capabilities to make this happen!

[Aaron D.]

Chinese ownership certainly has not hurt Volvo. Though how much real value the Morini name holds is a big question.

[Ronkom]

I was a  "road whore" motorcycle accessories sales rep traveling Va. WVa. Md. & DC in the mid 1970's. 'Hermie" was the Morini Importer at the time & he asked me to load a 3 1/2 Morini on my trailer & give it some exposure..(and ride it all I wanted to). A SWEET machine, but (if memory serves) it sold for about $600.00 more than a Yamaha RD 350...which would run rings around it.
I always thought Harley should have made a deal to sell Morini's. The Aermacchi horizontal singles were VERY cool in their own right, but (IMHO) the Morini 350 & 500 V-twins would have been a natural fit in Harley dealerships.
ronkom

[guzzisteve]

I would think they would be building the newer version V Twin.

[Moto]

Chinese backer hasnt helped Benelli's presene in the UK, they're advertised but never seen one -and they are own by the Volvo mothership

Benelli is now distributed in the U.S. by SSR Motorsports, which has about 300 dealerships, mostly
in the Eastern U.S., and mostly targeted at the off-road and pit-bike markets, I think.

They plan to increase the proportion of Benelli-branded cycles they offer next year, I read,
maybe by rebranding some of their SSR models, or perhaps by substituting current Benelli-branded
bikes for their current ones. (I think it is the former.)

What's in a name, as someone said? An SSR by any other name would perhaps sell better.

Moto

[kirb]

The Morni has a nice 1200 lineup: naked, scrambler, adventure.  I like all of them. They make a point of saying '100% made in Italy' which is a concern for Benelli possible buyers. That lineup might be a tough sell these days, but they are up my alley.

I really wanted a Grandpasso when I found one online, but the rarity of the brand/parts isn't something I'm interested in right now.

[oilhed]

I always thought Harley should have made a deal to sell Morini's. The Aermacchi horizontal singles were VERY cool in their own right, but (IMHO) the Morini 350 & 500 V-twins would have been a natural fit in Harley dealerships.
ronkom

Yeah, until they bought 50% then 95% them pulled the plug!

I always wanted to see the Morini Turbo!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I was a  "road whore" motorcycle accessories sales rep traveling Va. WVa. Md. & DC in the mid 1970's. 'Hermie" was the Morini Importer at the time & he asked me to load a 3 1/2 Morini on my trailer & give it some exposure..(and ride it all I wanted to). A SWEET machine, but (if memory serves) it sold for about $600.00 more than a Yamaha RD 350...which would run rings around it.
I always thought Harley should have made a deal to sell Morini's. The Aermacchi horizontal singles were VERY cool in their own right, but (IMHO) the Morini 350 & 500 V-twins would have been a natural fit in Harley dealerships.
ronkom

At one time Harley was considering buying Morini and had a "Sportsterized" 3 1/2 prototype built for evaluation. Testers found it "too slow" and "vibrated excessively", so the deal was off. A properly running 3 1/2 is neither of those of course, so it makes me wonder how they came to those conclusions. Could have been that a Harley employee, tired of dealing with Italian "idiosyncrasies" for years, sabotaged the effort.  Or the flip side: a Morini employee didn't want the company to end up like Aermacchi...

[kirb]

At one time Harley was considering buying Morini and had a "Sportsterized" 3 1/2 prototype built for evaluation. Testers found it "too slow" and "vibrated excessively", so the deal was off.

Harley closed down Buell and didn't entertain offers from BRP: 'it was too integrated and too difficult a task'
Harley bought MV, invested a ton, and sold for $4... Italy won't let you shut them down despite the excuse it was standalone.

Some executive BS, me thinks.

[Aaron D.]

Chinese backer hasnt helped Benelli's presene in the UK, they're advertised but never seen one -and they are own by the Volvo mothership

A few around here, perhaps far more Benellis than I saw anytim outside of the '70s.

Of course we (and you) are not the target market. They seem to be well received in India.

[sign216]

At one time Harley was considering buying Morini and had a "Sportsterized" 3 1/2 prototype built for evaluation. Testers found it "too slow" and "vibrated excessively", so the deal was off. A properly running 3 1/2 is neither of those of course, so it makes me wonder how they came to those conclusions. Could have been that a Harley employee, tired of dealing with Italian "idiosyncrasies" for years, sabotaged the effort.  Or the flip side: a Morini employee didn't want the company to end up like Aermacchi...

Interesting.  I can't believe Harley faulted anyone for vibrating excessively.  Hell, that used to be their trademark. 

You might be right about the sabotage, on both sides.

Joe

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The Morini employees created the Excalibur,
a face only a mother would love

I wish I could blame it on Cagiva buying them, but that happened the year after the Excalibur was introduced. I chalk that up to desperation - trying anything to sell bikes. Cruisers were popular back then.

[bad Chad]

Right, good thing cruisres are such a tiny market share today!?$&@

[tazio]

With Kev m on the back, I would totally do Sturgis on that thing.

[bad Chad]

Oh, for sure, he will  be all over that!

[tazio]

Hee,hee

[oilhed]

Interesting.  I can't believe Harley faulted anyone for vibrating excessively.  Hell, that used to be their trademark. 

Maybe that's what they mean by "Sportsterized"

[Chuck in Indiana]

Wow! The Ducati Indiana is beautiful in comparison.. 

[oilhed]

Wow! The Ducati Indiana is beautiful in comparison.. 

Other than the wheels I still dig it:

Then there is this too:

....Guzzi content

[oilhed]

The Milano's future is bright, post the 30 special edition built in-house available late October, they are setting up mass production, in Italy, at a lower cost available in 2019:

Be still my heart, GASP!  Made in Italy by Italians?  Show me to the dealership.  Just make me a solid red one with a little cafe fairing, please.

[Moto]

To me, this is exactly what's wrong with modern motorcycling. To think this thing has any relationship to the historical 350cc Morini, genetically or in intent, is preposterous.

But thanks for posting it.

Moto

[Aaron D.]

If this is the same engine they've been using the last few years, it was, I believe, designed by the same person who designed the 350.

What more could you want? Timing belts?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If this is the same engine they've been using the last few years, it was, I believe, designed by the same person who designed the 350.

What more could you want? Timing belts?

Yes, designed by Lambertini.

[Moto]

If this is the same engine they've been using the last few years, it was, I believe, designed by the same person who designed the 350.

What more could you want? Timing belts?

It doesn't matter who designed it. What matters is what it is.

Moto

[pete roper]

The Milano's future is bright, post the 30 special edition built in-house available late October, they are setting up mass production, in Italy, at a lower cost available in 2019:

That is an astonishingly ugly motorbike!

I am confident it handles well and goes like shit off a shiny shovel but it looks like something from a Lego catalogue!

Pete

[Aaron D.]

It doesn't matter who designed it. What matters is what it is.

Moto

Agreed-to a point.

[oilhed]

To me, this is exactly what's wrong with modern motorcycling. To think this thing has any relationship to the historical 350cc Morini, genetically or in intent, is preposterous.

It doesn't matter who designed it. What matters is what it is.

Moto

This is why Harley is stuck in a rut.

[Aaron D.]

That little 250 Buccaneer or whatever that is being sold with a recycled Virago engine is closer to the intent of the 3 1/2 than this bike.

Not that it matters really. Neither that nor this Morini revival is in my sights at all, but dismissing a brand revival because it doesn't make bikes like the original seems odd, since if the original was viable it would have continued.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

The Milano's future is bright, post the 30 special edition built in-house available late October, they are setting up mass production, in Italy, at a lower cost available in 2019:

i think it looks awesome