MV Agusta responds to reports of financial problems and production halt

MV Agusta has responded to reports that it has halted motorcycle production at its Varese factory, with the Italian manufacturer confirming that it is working through a period of financial and operational difficulty.

The statement comes after reports emerged earlier this week claiming that production had been paused following the collapse of a proposed agreement with CFMoto. That agreement was reportedly set to see CFMoto take a 49 per cent stake in MV Agusta and provide investment as part of a wider restructuring plan.

MV Agusta has not directly confirmed the reported production halt or the details of the CFMoto agreement. It has, however, confirmed that the company has been working for several months to restore its financial position following its separation from KTM and that it has entered Italy's Composizione Negoziata della Crisi (CNC) process.

The CNC is a legal framework intended to help companies experiencing temporary financial imbalance work with creditors and other stakeholders while developing a route towards recovery. In UK business terms, it’s not a million miles from the formal restructuring process businesses on this side of the channel use. MV Agusta says entering the process requires there to be concrete prospects for recovery.

The company has also confirmed that its shareholder, Art of Mobility, is assessing potential changes to MV Agusta's ownership structure, with some discussions having already been abandoned and others still ongoing.

Here is MV Agusta's statement in full:

MV AGUSTA: CLARIFICATION REGARDING RECENT REPORTS

Varese (Italy), September 11th, 2026 – In relation to the numerous reports and interpretations that have recently appeared across various media outlets and online channels regarding MV Agusta’s corporate situation, the Company believes it is appropriate to provide some clarification.

Following the separation from the KTM Group and the subsequent reacquisition of 100% of MV Agusta by the shareholder Art of Mobility, controlled by the Sardarov family, the Company has been engaged for several months in a comprehensive process aimed at restoring MV Agusta’s full operational, industrial, and financial balance.

The separation from KTM inevitably resulted in a significant transition phase, considering the level of integration reached between the two organisations. Since then, MV Agusta’s management has worked continuously to progressively restore the Company’s autonomy, processes, and the conditions necessary for its regular operations and the building of its future.

In parallel, the shareholder Art of Mobility has initiated and assessed a number of discussions regarding potential developments in MV Agusta’s shareholding structure. Some opportunities were explored in depth and subsequently considered not viable; others did not meet the necessary requirements in terms of substance and reliability. Other parties and scenarios remain under evaluation.

This is a serious and structured process, underway for several months and conducted with the support of external advisors and professionals, in the sole interest of the Company, its employees, partners and creditors, the dealer network and all stakeholders.

As part of this process, MV Agusta has also entered the Composizione Negoziata della Crisi (CNC), a framework provided for under Italian law to enable companies to address situations of temporary financial imbalance through a structured process assisted by independent professionals. The procedure allows the Company to assess its situation, engage with its various stakeholders and identify the most effective actions to support the rebalancing and relaunch of the business. Access to the CNC requires concrete prospects for recovery and, for MV Agusta, represents one of the tools supporting the path already undertaken.

Despite the complexity of the current phase, commercial results confirm the strength of the brand and customer interest across its key international markets.

In the first half of 2026, MV Agusta recorded 2,166 global retail registrations, an increase of 3.4 per cent compared with 2,094 units during the same period in 2025, on a like-for-like basis. Italy, the brand’s largest market, recorded growth of 28.8 per cent, increasing from 500 to 644 motorcycles. Positive results were also achieved in France, with growth of 42.3, and in the United States, with an increase of 24.2 per cent.

These results do not eliminate the operational and financial difficulties of the current phase, but they confirm the strength of demand, the work of the dealer network and the industrial and commercial value that MV Agusta continues to represent.

Against this backdrop, MV Agusta notes the proliferation of rumours, interpretations and reports unsupported by objective evidence, some of which appear to originate from, or be fuelled by, parties that, in various capacities, have participated in or expressed an interest in these discussions.

These reports, in addition to not accurately representing the situation, risk creating unnecessary confusion around the Company at a time when it is essential to operate with responsibility, confidentiality and rigour.

MV Agusta therefore does not intend to comment on individual rumours, nor to contribute to a debate based on speculation or partial information. Any significant development regarding the Company’s corporate structure will be communicated directly by the Company through its official channels once concrete and definitive conditions are in place.

In the meantime, management’s priority remains clear: to ensure the continuity of the Company, progressively consolidate its operations and build the conditions necessary to secure a solid future for MV Agusta, consistent with the value of one of the world’s most recognised Italian motorcycle brands.

For all the careful wording in MV Agusta's statement, there is quite a lot to unpack here.

MV is clearly acknowledging that it has a financial problem, which it describes as a "temporary financial imbalance", which is a big deal for such a historic and fiercely proud brand. It also says that changes to its ownership structure remain under consideration, which is significant given the reports surrounding CFMoto. It’s also telling that MV stops short of confirming what happened between the two companies or whether CFMoto remains involved, currently or in the future of the brand.

The separation from KTM is another important part of the picture. MV Agusta returned to full ownership by Art of Mobility after its relationship with KTM ended, but says the level of integration between the two businesses meant restoring its independence has been a substantial process.

The sales figures provide some context. MV Agusta says it sold 2,166 motorcycles globally during the first half of 2026, up 3.4 per cent on the same period last year, with particularly strong growth in Italy, France and the US. That shows there is still demand for its bikes, although 2,166 bikes in six months remains slim pickings for a standalone manufacturer with the costs and infrastructure that come with it.

For now, MV Agusta says its priority is maintaining the company's continuity while it works through its financial position. Exactly what that means for MV Agusta's future ownership, however, remains unclear.

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