Guzzi factory to close!

[Aero]

No, this doesn't mean no more Guzzis, but it is sort of sad to see the historic Mandello factory shutting its doors. From an economic point of view I know it makes sense, and I remember the pre-Piaggio Guzzi board trying to make the move several years ago but being thwarted by resistance from employees. I hope this move results in improvements to the Guzzi range with no blurring of identity between Guzzi and Aprilia.
Anyone who wants to tour the Mandello factory, I think you have a couple of months left!

PIAGGIO is merging its wholly-owned Moto Guzzi subsidiary with the parent company in a move likely to result in the closure of the historic Moto Guzzi factory at Mandello Del Lario, where the marque has been based since its inception in 1921.
This merger, which will be completed at management level by the end of November, will create a single global competitor on the two-wheeler market in terms of size and resources, according to Piaggio. And while the distinguishing characteristics of the Moto Guzzi brand will remain intact, it permits what the parent calls “significant economies of scale by rationalising the technical, industrial, design and style operations of the two companies”.

Industry analysts expect a transfer of production and related activities to Aprilia's base at Noale near Venice or the main Piaggio plant at Pontedera near Pisa. The latter probably has plenty of spare capacity after the off-shoring of much of its 50cc scooter output to China and light truck manufacturing to India.

http://www.visordown.com/motorcyclenews/view/piaggio_gobbles_up_moto_guzzi/5586.html

[TheGoose]

 

[MisterSmooth]

I hope that this doesn't happen.  I understand the pressures to make motorcycle manufacturing (or any manufacturing) profitable.


But this move completely discards the tradition of building in Mandello.  And tradition is one reason to buy a Guzzi.  The marque lives on because it carries a history and a unique engine/drivetrain configuration, sort of like Harley-Davidson in a way.


Just because the bean counters carry compelling data doesn't mean they are right.  When buying a Moto Guzzi is just buying a motorcycle, that may be the death of the entire brand.    

[traveler]

On a more positive note, I think that the move to newer (more modern) facilities might be just what is needed to bring Guzzi closer to the level of quality we all wish from them.

I base the above comment on things I've read on Guzzi sites, where indications are that quality is still not "job one", though improvements have certainly been made with the most recent models.

If you've ever worked in an environment unsuitable to the task at hand (I have), then you know that productivity and quality can suffer. I believe the workers might actually look forward to the move.

Take the old building and turn it into the museum it actually is.

[atadaskew]

Take the old building and turn it into the museum it actually is.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

[MisterSmooth]

...Take the old building and turn it into the museum it actually is.

That's an excellent idea.     They have a museum now, but it's open about 2 hours a day.  And wouldn't it be cool to be able to wander out onto the factory floor, too?

[atadaskew]

How about a museum/restaurant/service center.
You can ride your Goose to the old factory, have any service work done on it, check out the museum, get a bite to eat...

[MisterSmooth]

How about a museum/restaurant/service center/bar/motorcycle hotel.    

You could ride your Goose to the factory, walk through the museum, get your service work done, get a bite to eat, then go to the bar and drink a few glasses of vino and then go upstairs to sleep it off.  

It's a big building, after all.  

[sagerat]

 

Not to sound like a Cassandra, but I think it's the first step in Guzzi losing its "Guzziness."  Yes, my Breva has been equal parts irritant and intoxicant but I knew that was potentialy the deal when I got a Moto Guzzi.  At least they won't be made in Thailand.  

[Orson]

How about a museum/restaurant/service center/bar/motorcycle hotel.    

You could ride your Goose to the factory, walk through the museum, get your service work done, get a bite to eat, then go to the bar and drink a few glasses of vino and then go upstairs to sleep it off.  

It's a big building, after all.  

If I had a few million...sigh  

Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places on the planet...a sport touring destination right up there with the California coast.

My thoughts about the factory are about the same as my feelings about Yankee Stadium. It's heart wrenching to lose such a grand old dame, but nothing can last forever.

[Daniel Kalal]

Mandello del Lario (a couple of weeks ago)

[Orson]

I'll always remember, just after I bought my Goose, I needed the initial 500 km oil change. I arrived at the factory gate and announced to the security guard that I was there for my oil change.

He fixed me with a look reserved for people who've just fallen off the turnip wagon.

He sorta rolled his eyes and drew me a map to the Guzzi dealer round the corner.

feckin' tourists  

[Tar Snake]

How about STN buys it and we turn it into our own exclusive club!?

[Jetboy]

 

Not to sound like a Cassandra, but I think it's the first step in Guzzi losing its "Guzziness."  Yes, my Breva has been equal parts irritant and intoxicant but I knew that was potentialy the deal when I got a Moto Guzzi.  At least they won't be made in Thailand.  

Aprilia's and Piagio scooters are just as equally irritating and intoxicating.  I do like the museum idea.  I would really like it if they had a dealer website that was reliable for the dealers to use.

If you want to step it up a level on irrantant and intociant try a Benelli  

[Orson]

An update  

hard to believe which is true. I had read that Piaggio had spent a million dollars putting in a new assembly line a couple years ago.

Hopefully, they'll tough it out.

[atadaskew]

An update  

hard to believe which is true. I had read that Piaggio had spent a million dollars putting in a new assembly line a couple years ago.

A whole million dollars? So what's that, a couple of lathes and a paint booth?

[Orson]

A whole million dollars? So what's that, a couple of lathes and a paint booth?

I'm not seeing the problem here  

 

[atadaskew]

How about a couple of anvils and some big hammers then?
 

[Orson]

no software to gum up the works  

[MisterSmooth]

An update  

hard to believe which is true. I had read that Piaggio had spent a million dollars putting in a new assembly line a couple years ago.

Hopefully, they'll tough it out.

Oh, crap.  I was counting on that whole Museum/Guzzi Shop/Wine Bar idea for my retirement years.  

[tbeemer]

Well isn't the new factory just "up the road" from that area?  I seem to recall that Aprilia started that ball rolling and Piaggio finished it, with most of the bikes being built there while keeping the line running at the original factory (which got modernized in the same time frame).  Am I wrong in my (often hazy and wildly inaccurate) recollection of those facts?

+1 to turning it into a museum.  That facility *must* remain MG focused, in my opinion.  At least until I visit next year...

Tom

[tbeemer]

Mandello del Lario (a couple of weeks ago)

Gorgeous.  Simply gorgeous.

[steveindenmark]

Make it into something like the Ace cafe in London. The Ace Cafe is always busy.

I wonder if all the employees want to relocate??

I think bikers will always go there to meet whatever happens.

Steve