MV Agusta gets a Brazilian

Having signed an agreement with Brazilian ally Dafra Motos, motorcycle maker MV Agusta will become the first Italian brand to produce motorcycles for Brazil, in Brazil.

The company is expanding its global reach ahead of the launch of a slew of new models, including three new bikes based on its 675cc three-cylinder engine, and the Commercial Director of MV Agusta said that "After the development of the recent commercial agreements for the distribution of MV Agusta motorcycles in Australia and Canada, this new and very important partnership in Brazil is an important step in the further expansion of the MV market."

The move comes after Ducati annoucned earlier in the year it would open an assembly plant in Thailand to sell motorcycles in South East Asian markets, and MV Agusta's new Brazilian venture is aiming for a similar outcome - to gain a foothold in a rapidly growing markets.

MV Agusta will build the F4 and Brutale in conjunction with Dafra Motos and there's a very strong possibility the joint venture will begin building F3 and B3 Brutale models in 2012 and beyond.

Furthermore, it is possible that MV Agusta may look to sell Brazilian-made motorcycles in adjacent regions, such as Central America and possibly even North America, to reduce shipping costs.

In a press statement, MV Agusta asserted that the growing demand for luxury goods in Brazil, not to mention the burgeoning economy, makes it an ideal market in which to to set up shop. "Brazil is continually increasing their global presence both economically and socially by hosting world class events such as the FIFA World Cup in 2014 as well as the Olympic Games in 2016," reads the statement.

The MV Agusta Brutale and F4 will be assembled at one of Dafras factories in Manaus, and the Italian company claims that "stringent quality standards" will be met to ensure the motorcycles meet the values set by the Italian company.

Massimo Bordi, Executive Vice President of MV Agusta, had this to say about the company's move into the Americas: "The strategic expansion of the MV Agusta group into the Brazilian market is another confirmation of our drive to develop new international markets that will allow our historic Italian brand to respond to the ever increasing demand for products which incorporate high quality, advanced technology and Italian design."

Varese-based MV Agusta expects to see around 1000 new motorcycles in Brazil for in its first full year of production, 2012.

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