What is a legend in the world of motors? It's a hundred or so years of history, the role of the founder - a guy with a goatee and top hat (with a cylinder - in terms of a hat), winning numerous races and mountain runs like Paris-New York, working on the MIC during World War II and the slow death in the postwar years, followed by injections of the revival of the rich plebeians like Volkswagen, Proton and Petronas, are in dire need of high-profile name to maintain his image. Is this the only way for great brands? What about the legend that began in a small garage, with poor production bike mechanic after the war? Which then grew into a powerful company, the second European manufacturer of motorcycles, shining like a diamond in the crown of world producers a two-wheeled vehicles? You say, can not be!
Aprilia says - you can!
So, it all started in the town of Noale, which is 20 kilometers from Venice, in a small shop owned by Alberto badges. The enterprising Italian quickly realized that a poor country needs cheaper transport, and began to produce bicycles and mopeds are called primitive'' Vivi'', which, however, were in demand. In addition to his small business, Alberto had to educate his son - a young Ivano Badges, which was not easy: the boy grew up a tomboy, and night school suffered only as a necessary evil, and that threw a couple of years. Two-wheeled motor vehicle smoky - that's the only thing that interested in the boy. Logically, Ivano began helping his father in the studio, trying to comprehend what it means - to create and sell.
As a boy of sixteen, Jr. Badges builds its first motorcycle with a motor of 50 cc. Immensely proud of his creation, he decides to take a ride around the neighborhood, completely forgetting that there is no muffler on your bike. In the words of Ivano before that no one ever threw shoes at him and poured water, and such expressions from the lips of the townspeople, he neither before nor after did not hear. Upset at first Ivano general did not show up on the street, but everything was back to square one, and he again went to help his father. And six months later to 50 cc monster bought at a price twice the market!
This creative breakthrough began in Ivano at age 18, when the light saw his second creation - ''Scarabeo''. It was the forerunner of modern motocross bikes with frame construction and the author's plastic splash guards, made by local craftsman. Painted almost all the colors of the rainbow, the bike was struck even the usually unflappable Badges senior.
In 20 years, becoming head of the Ivano family business - namely, a factory with a capital of $ 462,000, and 25 workers. In the yard in 1964 and the company finally got its present name - Aprilia, in honor of legendary in the fifties Lancia Aprilia. It was a smart move, as the name of the Aprilia was popular among the customers and could draw their attention to a little-known company. A year later, Ivano decided to open a small shop for the assembly of motorcycle racing. He even tried to race himself, but in time realized that it is better to entrust it to the pros.
Everything went perfectly, production and sales grew, until one fine day not in the office is not broke, enraged Badges father. It turned out that the frame of his Aprilia broke straight during the movement, and Alberto insisted that it was a constructive defect. He was right - the frame, designed for a motor of 50 cc, just could not bear the load motor 125 cm3. The time has come to realize that the talent is not enough to design Ivano truly cool bikes. So in the Aprilia has its first graduate - an engineer.
In 1970 motor show visitors in Milan could see the Aprilia booth area 4x4 meters, where the model of father and son Badges stood side by side.
1975 was the year of birth of the first production motocross bike Aprilia. The novelty soon found a following among young people, and a year later, Ivan Alboretti it debuted in the Italian championship in motocross, in his first season he became the champion in the class 125sm3! In the same year, after this memorable victory, Aprilia motorcycles sold in addition to production, and 200 more replicas of racing! The next year (under the sign of victory in the 250cc class) sold 700 replicas. Business began to gain momentum, revenues increased from $ 35,000 in 1970 to $ 1.35 million in 1977. Over the next five years, sales have doubled to $ 3.15 million
In 1982 Badges refused bicycle industry, both from the hopeless and unprofitable. The company is fully focused on the production of motorcycles and presented to the buyers of their first road bike with a 125 cm3 engine. 1983 brought earnings growth by half - $ 6.2 million profit - not bad for a garage of Noale!
Have been in the history of Aprilia and difficult times. The policy of diversification of the company was unsuccessful, furniture and sunglasses brought significant losses. Fortunately, by this rapidly got rid of the ballast, and the skillful management moto allowed to repay their debts in three years instead of the established lenders five years.
In 1987 Aprilia became a party to the World Championship World GP Road racing Championship with Loris Redzhiani as a factory driver. A little later began manufacturing scooters Aprilia.
In the nineties Aprilia has worked very well with BMW, releasing their model F650, and the popularity of these bikes, and, in parallel, the prestige of the most Aprilia, not least contributed to the highest quality.
1998 brought a series of magnificent bikes with engines liter, and in 2000 the family were taken Aprilia Moto Guzzi and Laverda. This collaboration promises to bring their interesting results.
The last couple of years have been a real challenge for the company and its permanent president and owner of Ivano badges. The crisis of the European market scooter hit hard by the firm in which the production of this popular and relatively inexpensive technique has been in the foreground. So much so that a controlling stake in almost sold Ducati. Fortunately, the Aprilia team has once again proved that for them nothing is impossible. By focusing on a superbike, the company broke into a hurricane on the U.S. market with a new model for RSV Mille, found a strong (financially) investors, and here: Aprilia back to the crest of a wave.
Today Aprilia - that's five refineries with a total area 297600m2, 1750 employees and 3500 vendors from around the world. This title in 21 of the world motorcycle championship, 140 victories in Grand Prix podium and 392 pilots factory teams. And yet - it's infinite love for motorcycles, commitment to innovation and continuous customer care.
Here it is, this recipe is a legend.
Do you agree?
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