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Unread 02-10-2008, 12:32 PM
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Looks like the Aprilia brand is being pushed a little harder this year according to their corporate owner, the Piaggio Group Americas President/CEO Paolo Timoni. They claim a big increase in sales as noted in the following ApriliaUSA press release as reported by www.roadracingworld.com

Quote:
Optimism Fueled by Robust 2007 Sales, Expanded Product Lines and Dealership Network and Significant On-Track Accomplishments

NEW YORK, NY –February 8, 2008 – Aprilia USA projects consistent growth in the year ahead, following a 2007 performance that saw retail unit sales increases, continued expansion of its product line, growth in its dealer network and championship performances in on-track competition.

“In many aspects of our business, we achieved a very positive performance in 2007,” explained Piaggio Group Americas President and CEO Paolo Timoni. “This momentum, which built through the course of the year, has generated a significant amount of excitement and optimism for the year ahead.”

Based upon MIC data our Aprilia motorcycle retail unit sales increased by 29 percent in 2007 driven by the Tuono 1000 R Factory, which earned industry acclaim by incorporating the technological and performance capabilities of the unrivaled naked race bike into the most powerful Tuono ever offered to motorcycle enthusiasts and the street legal version of the high performance SXV and RXV off road motorcycles. Later in the year, Aprilia again generated industry attention with the debut of the SL 750 Shiver, the first all-new, middle-weight V-Twin to debut from the company’s Noale, Italy factory. Scheduled to reach dealerships in the first quarter of 2008, Shiver combines aggressive looks and exceptional performance capabilities with new technological advances, highlighted by the first in segment application of ride-by-wire throttle control technology.

Aprilia’s U.S. scooter retail unit sales, which rose 56 percent over the 12-month period, were aided by the addition of two models: the newest and most powerful addition to the Scarabeo family, the 500 ie, and the sophisticated, urban-dwelling SportCity 250.

Responding to increased demand for new and carryover models, the Piaggio Group added more than 40 Aprilia dealerships last year, with additional new locations projected for 2008. Excitement for the brand should be even more pronounced in 2008, when dealerships take delivery of the new SL750 Shiver. “This newest addition to the Aprilia family has generated a tremendous amount of excitement from our dealers and well as motorcycle enthusiasts,” Mr. Timoni said. “It puts us in great position for additional growth in 2008.”



In the motorsports world, the Aprilia SXV 5.5 was victorious in the first four rounds of the AMA Supermoto Unlimited Class and went on to win the team and rider’s championship with Benny Carlson leading the way. The brand also claimed the Sun Trust MOTO-ST Series championship, as the Lloyd Brothers team, aboard a pair of Tuonos, earned first or second-place finishes in five of the six races.



About Aprilia and Piaggio Group Americas

Aprilia world headquarters are in Noale (Venice, Italy). Founded in 1962, the company designs and manufactures motorcycles in Noale, with additional production facilities in Scorzč. With 36 motorcycling world championship titles (30 road and 6 off-road) under its belt, Aprilia is the only European manufacturer to have a complete on- and off-road model portfolio, ranging from sporty scooters, innovative off-road bikes and tough adventure tourers to award-winning super sport bikes. For information on Aprilia's complete U.S. model line, visit the company's website at www.apriliausa.com.

In December 2004 Aprilia became part of the Piaggio Group, Europe's leading manufacturer of two wheelers and one of the world's most recognized and respected names in motorcycle and scooter production.

With over 6,700 employees, an annual production of more than 680,000 vehicles, 5 R&D centers, 7 production facilities in Europe and Asia, and operations in over 50 countries, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European 2 wheeler market. Its production includes scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands.
That's great news for us Aprilia owners! Now hopefully they will release that new engine to the world so we can play with the big guns out there.
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