Daimler is interested in buying a stake in MV Agusta

Within a matter of days, Daimler is set to become one of the main shareholders of the Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta. This has been confirmed by a source in Italy familiar with the matter, who spoke to the agency Reuters and the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, which indicate that the stake will amount to between 20 and 30% of this well-known brand.

According to what the newspaper has learned from financial sources in Milan, Daimler will make the purchase through its AMG division, which will pay thirty million euros for those MV Agusta shares. The percentage could increase in the future if Daimler continues investing in the Italian manufacturer.

The primary aim of this agreement is to support MV Agusta in its expansion into other markets outside Italy. Currently the Italian market accounts for a fifth of its sales; with Daimler’s help, that proportion will change as a result of an investment plan both parties are working on.

Nevertheless, it is no secret that, thanks to this process, Daimler will also gain access to MV Agusta’s three-cylinder engines, which will come in very handy for extending the range of its hybrid and electric models.

After all, it is the only one of the German trio that has yet to present a vehicle, concept or production, that uses this technique: the BMW i3 REx uses a small two-cylinder engine from Kymco, and the Volkswagen XL Sport Concept we saw in Paris borrows the two-cylinder block from the Ducati 1199 Superleggera, a brand that joined VAG in 2012 when it bought Audi.

Via | Automotive News