MV Agusta Gets Financial Help From New Investor
Sameer Contractor
1 min read
Nov 22, 2016, 08:34 PM
Key Highlights
- Investment firm Black Ocean has signed an agreement with MV Agusta
- MV Agusta has been facing financial debts of up to 50 million Euros
- The partnership between MV Agusta and Mercedes-AMG is uncertain
MV Agusta might have just been induced with new life, having finally found an answer to its monetary woes. We say that because the Italian bike maker recently signed an agreement with Black Ocean Investment Group to recapitalise the company. The move will finally help the famed bike maker to restrategize its operations, as it can now pay debts and revitalise its relationship with suppliers, workers and most of all, continue development of motorcycles.
Headed by Oliver Ripley and Timur Saradov, the Black Ocean Investment Group is the investing arm of Ocean Group and has diversified investments with the largest being in the private jet charting company - Ocean Sky.
Speaking on the new capital investment, MV Agusta CEO, Giovanni Castiglioni said, “I am very pleased that we have reached this agreement with Black Ocean. Beyond the strengthening of our capital, which is important for the future growth of MV Agusta, I strongly believe that Mr Sardarov, Mr Ripley, and their global team will be able to contribute with their entrepreneurial and managerial skills in the consolidation of MV Agusta as a key player in the super premium motorcycle market.”
One of the most famed bike makers from Italy, MV Agusta is one of the most sought after motorcycle brands globally with a strong lineage in motorsport. MV Agusta was founded in 1945 as an aviation company by the Agusta family and moved to the motorcycle business to fund their racing effort. Over the years, the brand did face lots of troubles and was revived only 20 years ago by its current CEO Giovanni Castiglioni. Currently, the brand is the producer of some of the finest motorcycles in the world, and also competes in the World Superbike Championship.
MV Agusta has been facing a liquidity crisis in recent times with respect to finances. This has restrained the company from going forward, despite having posted a turnover of 100 million Euros and a 30 per cent increase in sales in 2015. The company owes a debt close to 50 million Euros at present (around Rs. 362 crore) and has been looking for new investors over the year. It’s also known that the struggles have lived for so long due to Castiglioni not wanting to relinquish control of the brand his father Claudio helped build.
The past year of financial turmoil has prompted concerns about the future of MV Agusta. It almost felt certain that the Italian bike maker would have to shut shop after Italy’s Guardia di Finanza found that the company had been using the social security funds of its workers to pay the money owed to parts suppliers, an allegation which MV Agusta disputes; while the company's CEO Giovanni Castiglioni was investigated for irregularities on his tax return earlier this year. As part of its strategy to dilute expenses, MV Agusta did let go of a good amount of workforce, while production was limited to around 5700 units per year, from 9000 units. However, the move has helped the Italian company little to curb its losses.
Meanwhile, MV Agusta's Indian operations only commenced in the country this year with the company selling the very popular Brutale series going up to the flagship F4. With troubles back home, it will need to be seen if the company's domestic operations are affected by the same.
With Black Ocean's arrival, it is still unclear what will be Mercedes-AMG's stand on its investment in MV Agusta. The German automaker has less than 25 per cent stake in the motorcycle brand and it is unclear if the automaker will continue in its existing role or will choose to depart. Either of the companies are yet to divulge details on the agreement, but we can expect certain major announcements shortly. Could this be the major push that MV Agusta is looking for? We will find out soon.
Headed by Oliver Ripley and Timur Saradov, the Black Ocean Investment Group is the investing arm of Ocean Group and has diversified investments with the largest being in the private jet charting company - Ocean Sky.
MV Agusta F3 800 RC
One of the most famed bike makers from Italy, MV Agusta is one of the most sought after motorcycle brands globally with a strong lineage in motorsport. MV Agusta was founded in 1945 as an aviation company by the Agusta family and moved to the motorcycle business to fund their racing effort. Over the years, the brand did face lots of troubles and was revived only 20 years ago by its current CEO Giovanni Castiglioni. Currently, the brand is the producer of some of the finest motorcycles in the world, and also competes in the World Superbike Championship.
MV Agusta WSBK
The past year of financial turmoil has prompted concerns about the future of MV Agusta. It almost felt certain that the Italian bike maker would have to shut shop after Italy’s Guardia di Finanza found that the company had been using the social security funds of its workers to pay the money owed to parts suppliers, an allegation which MV Agusta disputes; while the company's CEO Giovanni Castiglioni was investigated for irregularities on his tax return earlier this year. As part of its strategy to dilute expenses, MV Agusta did let go of a good amount of workforce, while production was limited to around 5700 units per year, from 9000 units. However, the move has helped the Italian company little to curb its losses.
2017 MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR
With Black Ocean's arrival, it is still unclear what will be Mercedes-AMG's stand on its investment in MV Agusta. The German automaker has less than 25 per cent stake in the motorcycle brand and it is unclear if the automaker will continue in its existing role or will choose to depart. Either of the companies are yet to divulge details on the agreement, but we can expect certain major announcements shortly. Could this be the major push that MV Agusta is looking for? We will find out soon.
Related News
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Latest News
Bilal Firfiray | Jul 27, 2026BMW X5 And iX5 Long Wheelbase Unveiled With Extra Rear Leg RoomBMW has taken the wraps off the long-wheelbase body style of the new-gen X5, and its all-electric iX5 avatar is exclusively for the Chinese market. Both are Neue Klasse with up to 1,000km of claimed range.2 mins read
car&bike Team | Jul 25, 2026Jeep Meridian 85th Anniversary Edition Launched At Rs 36.05 LakhLimited to 85 units, the special edition gets cosmetic changes and also features the CARA AI voice assistant.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jul 25, 2026River Indie Electric Scooter Crosses 50,000 Units Production MilestoneThe milestone comes less than three years after the first unit rolled out of the company's Hoskote manufacturing facility.2 mins read
car&bike Team | Jul 25, 20262026 Maruti Brezza Facelift Fuel Efficiency Figures RevealedThe updated model returns up to 26.90 km/kg in CNG guise, while the newly introduced turbo-petrol delivers a claimed 20.47 kmpl.2 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | Jul 25, 2026Honda ZR-V Hybrid SUV Launched In India At Rs 47.99 LakhThe ZR-V is Honda’s first hybrid SUV for India and arrives as a CBU.1 min read
Jafar Rizvi | Jul 24, 20262026 Maruti Brezza Facelift: Variants, Features, Engine Options ExplainedThe 2026 Maruti Suzuki Brezza is offered in four trim levels: LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+ and with two engine options.5 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Jul 27, 20262026 Maruti Suzuki Brezza Facelift Review: Bestseller Joins The Turbo ClubWhile Maruti’s facelifts have always tended to bring subtle updates over the outgoing models, the latest Brezza brings some heavy updates under the skin, including a new 6-speed manual gearbox and, for the first time, a turbocharged petrol engine option.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Jul 24, 2026Honda ZR-V Review: Who Is It For?Honda has brought the new ZR-V to India as their current flagship offering. It’s a CBU, it’s a hybrid, and it’s here for a limited few. Who is it for though?1 min read
Shams Raza Naqvi | Jul 15, 2026Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider Driven: Rs. 11.25 Crore Meets 1,000 bhpWe got behind the wheel of the most powerful convertible from Ferrari. What makes the 849 Testarossa Spider Special? We tell you.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Jul 12, 2026Tata Sierra EV Review: Reborn In The Electric AgeThe Tata Sierra EV isn’t drastically different from its ICE counterpart when it comes to design. But being the seventh electric offering from the Indian brand, it has gotten a few things right, and very few things wrong. But is it a compelling package to buy?5 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | Jul 13, 2026TVS Orbiter Long-Term Review (Report 1): Settling In Takes TimeFirst impressions weren't the strongest, but the Orbiter has made a mark in its first month in the car&bike garage.5 mins read