The Italian motorcycle marque Moto Morini was founded in 1937, but in late 2009 the writing appeared to be on the wall. Moto Morini went bankrupt and it appeared as though only a miracle would save the company from being shut down.
That miracle has arrived, in the form of Paolo Berlusconi who has purchased the ailing Italian motorcycle manufacturer for 2.5 million Euros.
Paolo Berlusconi already owns Garelli Motorcycles and this new acquisition will bolster his position as a powerbroker in the Italian world of two-wheelers.
There are rumours suggesting that Paolo Berlusconi is also being courted by Harley-Davidson to purchase MV Agusta, an even higher profile Italian motorcycle brand.
Paolo Berlusconi is the brother of billionaire Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. Cynical types might argue that the entire Italian police force could be riding Moto Morinis by 2012...
The sale of Moto Morini to Paolo Berlusconi includes the Morini factory, rights to all the motorcycles and designs and also equipment.
The Italian media is reporting that new business plans could be outlined as early as November this year at the 2010 EICMA event in Milan, with potential new models revealed in due course.