Ferro model and Piaggio

pppdrive · Post by **pppdrive** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 12:42 pm

I see there is every chance that the Gilera Ferro 850 will now go into production BUT those of infinite wisdom within Piaggio appear to have decided to re-badge it as an Aprilia.

I appreciate that the Aprilia name is probably better known within the younger generation and re-badging to Aprilia MAY give Piaggio better sales, but if they are REALLY serious about selling the Ferro, why not sell it under both Gilera AND Aprilia names?

That way they can "capture" both the young (Aprilia) and older (Gilera) markets.

If Piaggio are indeed SERIOUS about the Gilera name (and with Gilera now competing in 125 & 250 GP it appears as if they are), then surely a "joint" marketing effort would give more potential sales AND start the Gilera name back on the road to it's previous great status.

I thought about writing to Piaggio, but from September 2005 our Club has written twice to them in London and twice to Pontadera and has never even received the courtesy of an acknowledgment, let alone a reply. I know that the German Gilera Club have similar problems in being unable to get replies from Piaggio.

Other one-make Clubs seem to get good assistance from their Manufacturers, so come on Piaggio, start recognising that there are many people out here in the real world who are true Gileristi and get talking to us.

Paul
I Gotta Gilera Owners Club of Britain

Post by **gileramad** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:21 pm

Yes it is a sad situation. I don´t cry for the Ferro because I don´t think a motorcycle should have AT but when I look at the chances a commuity of (unpaid) supporters gives to a company from the marketing side of view I just can shake my had because of piaggios ignorance. The official "gilera club" pages on the international homepages are not worth the words. What justifies to call the E-Cards and screensavers download section "Gilera Club"? The racing pages are only in english - don´t include any interesting technical data and so on....