Pierer Mobility Gains Majority Control of MV Agusta
Pierer Mobility, parent company to KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas, has exercised its option to gain an additional 25% stake in MV Agusta, officially gaining majority control over the Italian brand. Pierer Mobility had previously announced plans to exercise its option in the spring of 2026, but has now pulled the trigger two years ahead of schedule.
The Sadarov family, which previously owned the majority of MV Agusta, will now own 49.9%, with Timur Sardarov stepping down as chief executive officer and chairman of the board, and continuing on as vice-chairman, brand ambassador and consultant. Pierer Mobility executive board member Hubert Trunkenpolz, whose uncle Johann Trunkenpolz was the “T” in “KTM”, will take over as CEO and Chairman of MV Agusta.
The transaction is the latest in a series of moves between MV Agusta, and KTM’s parent company (see timeline below). The transaction gives MV Agusta a level of financial stability the company has lacked for much of its history.
Manufacturing of MV Agusta will remain in Varese, Italy, with an annual production volume of 10,000 motorcycles. That’s a big improvement from before, thanks to a new fully automated line management system guiding motorcycles through 28 different workstations.
In his final statement as CEO before handing control to Trunkenpolz, Sardarov declared his five-year plan of revitalizing MV Agusta complete. MV Agusta is poised to achieve a net profit for the first time in years, and the company now has a large dealer network thanks to Pierer Mobility. In 2023, the brand introduced five new models, and a number of limited series that sold out within hours.
“MV Agusta embodies passion and a unique sense of romance that captivated me, a seasoned entrepreneur, from day one,” says Sardarov. “The personal challenge of guiding the company out of crisis and steering it towards success through innovative business strategies, team expansion, and new product developments has been conquered. It is an honor to play a role in shaping MV Agusta's legacy. Over the past five years, both the company and I have evolved significantly. Our growth together is a testament to the transformative journey we've shared. My time with MV Agusta has been a pivotal chapter in my life, filled with mutual joys and challenges. As I continue to serve as a dedicated Vice-Chairman, I am committed to supporting the company and its ongoing success.”
MV Agusta's Recent Timeline
- July 2017: ComSar Invest, an investment fund of Timur Sardarov’s Black Ocean Group acquires a 25% share of MV Agusta from Mercedes AMG.
- Dec. 2019: Sardarov gains 100% stake in MV Agusta from the Castiglioni family.
- Sept. 2022: KTM takes over distribution of MV Agusta motorcycles in North America
- Nov. 2022: KTM, a subsidiary of Pierer Mobility, gains a 25.1% stake in MV Agusta
- Oct. 2023: KTM AG assumes control over MV Agusta’s supply chain and purchasing, plus MV Agusta’s product distribution, announcing plans to exercise its option for an additional 25% in spring 2026.
- March 2024: Pierer Mobility exercises its option ahead of schedule, gaining a 50.1% stake in MV Agusta.
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Can't wait for the MV Augusta version of the 890 Duke