Daimler to buy into MV Agusta?

Daimler's most recent dalliance with a motorcycle manufacturer was the tie-up between its Mercedes-AMG division and Ducati, which was bought by Audi in 2012, but now it’s believed the German car maker is eyeing a 30 per cent stake in venerable Italian brand MV Agusta.

A recent report in Germany’s Boersen-Zeitung newspaper suggests the Castiglioni family which bought MV Agusta from Harley-Davidson in 2010 is now looking to float up to 30 per cent of the company on the stock exchange, and that Daimler has expressed an interest in acquiring a stake in the storied motorcycle manufacturer.

When Harley-Davidson offloaded MV Agusta to the Castiglionis four years ago, they paid all that company’s debt as part of the deal, but the firm is still on shaky ground financially, which helps explain why its owners are looking to find a buyer for a large stake in the company.

Although it’s in poor financial health, MV Agusta has a stylish and capable product line-up, has a proud motorsport history and currently competes in the world superbike and supersport titles.

As for Mercedes-Benz’s interest in the company, it would make sense as it’s currently the lone German car-making conglomerate without a motorcycle brand in its portfolio. It’s no doubt also smarting from having Ducati pinched from under its nose by Audi two years ago.

Crucially, Mercedes would be able to inject the R&D resources that will enable MV Agusta to compete with the likes of Ducati and BMW.

The Italian bike brand has had a chequered history of late, with no less than five owners over the past 15 years.

Malaysia’s Proton bought it in 2004, but sold it the following year to a Genoa-based securities company. Harley-Davidson acquired MV in 2008 and finally sold it to the Castiglioni family in 2010. During that time, MV also sold Husqvarna (which has since been swallowed by KTM) to BMW to keep the company afloat.

If Daimler was to acquire a stake in MV Agusta, which celebrates its 70th anniversary next year, it would further diversify its portfolio of brands, which already includes Mercedes-Benz, smart, Freightliner and Thomas Built Buses.

The company is also reportedly weighing up the merits of buying Aston Martin – in which it currently owns a five per cent stake, as well as having a technology supply agreement with the British sports car manufacturer.