The list of motorcycle factory closures due to the coronavirus pandemic is growing daily.
Ducati has now announced it will extend the closure of its factory in Bologna until 25 March 2020 and Brembo and Yamaha have closed their European factories.
Moto Morini, KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas had already closed their factories in Italy and Austria.
Ducati closed its factory in Borgo Panigale last Friday and was due to reopen tomorrow (18 March 2020).
However, the closure has been extended while the company implements changes to the production lines to keep workers further apart.
The company has also introduced a multi-shift work programme to halve the number of people on the assembly line at the same time.
Brembo has also closed its Bergamo factory until next week and Yamaha has announced the closure of its Italy and France facilities until 22 March.
The Piaggio Group – owner of Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Vespa – closed its factories over the weekend for a “deep clean” and were due to return to production this week.
Meanwhile, MV Agusta in Lombardy, the epicentre of the Italian coronavirus contagion, continues production with a reduced workforce.
However, they “guarantee production continuity”.
Production continues in “full compliance with the urgent provisions contained in the Prime Minister’s 11/03 decree and with the guidelines issued by Confindustria Lombardia”.
MV Agusta factoryWhat closures mean to riders
While motorcycle factory closures may not have a huge impact on the production of models, it could impact spare parts.
The closure of the Brembo factory is of more concern as it could hamper the supply chain and the production of many models such as BMW and Triumph.
Meanwhile, the pandemic has forced the postponement and cancellation of many motorcycle racing events and rallies.