Piaggio Group, MV Agusta forced to close by Italian government

Piaggio, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, MV Agusta forced by government to halt production

Last week, we reported that the Piaggio Group and MV Agusta would continue motorcycle production despite the spread of COVID-19. Now, an Italian Government decree has forced them to halt operations.

The Italian Parliament signed a new decree on March 22, 2020 that is tightening lockdown regulations around the country.

In response, the Piaggio Group, along with its subsidiaries Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, and Vespa, will be closing their Pontedera, Mandello del Lario, Noale, and Sorze facilities. Its plants in Vietnam and India will remain operational.

MV Agusta, on the other hand, will be closing its Schiranna facility until further notice. Its staff who are able will work from home to continue to provide support to suppliers and customers.

Prior to this decree, the Piaggio Group had resumed production after a 3-day halt. However, their production lines were reorganized to implement proper social distancing protocols. More stringent sanitization measures were also put in place.

As for MV Agusta, they continued working with reduced manpower and more stringent social distancing and sanitization protocols.

Ducati and Moto Morini factories remain closed until further notice.