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Posted by Staff
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Saturday, 09 February 2008 |
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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.
from Aprilia press
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