MV Agusta and Lifan Industry Co. Ltd signed a letter of intent and announced that the Chinese Group will become the distributor for the historic Italian manufacturer in this very important Asiatic market. It's also expected that Lifan bough a good amount of MV Agusta shares from Harley-Davidson.


Lifan, a company that has been listed on the Shanghai stock exchange since 2010 with annual sales of 6,771 billion Yuan (750 million Euros), will distribute the MV Agusta models in the Chinese market beginning by the end of 2011 through a network of high-end dealers. The first objective is to realize an efficient sales network by the end of 2013 with showrooms in all of the principal Chinese cities.

“Distributing the MV models through a prestigious society like Lifan ensures that we will enter into this very important market with a very strong commercial partner at our side, respecting the Chinese culture, mentality and laws” stated Umberto Uccelli, the Commercial Director of MV Agusta.

Surly 1 way to cheepen the brand.

What I was told is that Lifan and MV Agusta will remain two independent companies. Lifan will develop a line of big bikes with the help of Yamaha patents and cooperation. Basically, MV Agusta will be a high-end brand-name with finally an owner who wants to do business... Harley-Davidson was from the moment they bought MV Agusta already in money troubles, and therefore new Agusta's where delayed – but now MV Agusta will push the market much more as they've plans to renew models every year

Lifan had on the last China Motorshow some great looking sportsbikes with what looked like Yamaha YZF-R1 engines.