In a bid to gain more market share, and also get better traction in markets where small capacity motorcycles do very well, almost every two-wheeler manufacturer has joined hands with local partners. Now, Italian bike maker MV Agusta has joined hands with Loncin from China. Loncin Motor Co. is a Chinese brand with whom MV Agusta will develop 350cc – 500cc motorcycles. This will allow MV Agusta to introduce all-new motorcycles in the affordable market, but still be pretty much premium bikes in the entry-level segment.
The agreement is such that MV Agusta will head the design and development of 4 new motorcycles models while Loncin will handle the manufacturing of this bikes in China. These bikes will later be sold in the Asian markets, where low-displacement premium bikes are in huge demand. MV Agusta assures that the bikes will still try and have the design and Italian flare that the MV Agusta bikes have.
The first bike from this partnership is expected to make a debut by 2021. The new small-capacity motorcycles will have the unique MV Agusta design style, sound and riding dynamics. However, we do not know yet if MV Agusta will take any products from Loncin as donor models and then rework them.
No specific details are out yet on the type of motorcycles which will be launched. However, we can most definitely expect a naked streetfighter model. A small capacity Brutale would be very, very pleasing. Keeping in mind the signature traits of MV Agusta motorcycles, we expect a trellis chassis which would be exposed, super stylish exhaust end cans and bare minimum body panels.
MV Agusta will assist the Chinese partner Loncin to manufacture a new 800cc motorcycle which will allow the brand entry in the high end motorcycle segment.
MV Agusta bikes are brought to India by Motoroyale, a Kinetic Group venture. With small capacity bikes coming soon, this could mean incremental sales even in our market. But, all that is possible only if the bikes are sensibly priced, and come with all the top-tier specs.