Rumor Mill: Harley-Davidson is negotiation to buy MV Agusta

Italian newspaper Messaggero reported (without mentioning sources) that Harley-Davidson is in negotiation to buy most of the debts from motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta. We know for sure that the Italian company has around 200 million euros (about 320 million US dollars) of debt and that businessman Claudio Castiglioni owns 29.6% of the shares. Source (cyrilhuzeblog)

We all know that Harley is trying to reach a younger market.  Harley is also trying to get a stronger foothold in Europe (For instance releasing a Europe only Harley this year.  XR 1200 Europe only)  With the aquistion of MV Agusta a true Italian sportbike firm and the finacial backing of Harley Davidson they will now have the captial to start making more motorcycle ranges (sport touring, supermoto, dual sport, etc).   With MV Agusta maybe Harley also can produce a suprbike caliber bike with an Harley V-Twin in an Italian Trellis frame.  I am getting ahead of myself already but will watch anxiously as this all unfolds in the next few months.