How important was "made in Italy" to you?

[Sannio]

If a Guzzi I wanted were made and assembled anywhere but in Italy, I would not buy it. I accept that components and electronics are sourced internationally. I am happy knowing that designers and engineers are of any origin. This goes for all Italian-brand motorbikes. Suppose company ownership of a brand leaves Italy but the marque is still manufactured in an Italian factory. In that case, I must feel the fiz for a particular model to buy it. An "Italian motorcycle" is a regionally born cultural artifact birthed by passionate and beautifully imperfect people of Italic lineage.

 

[Tebax]

I am wary of disagreeing with Scott -- at least on any subject involving automotive or culinary subjects, and the list is likely longer, too -- but we had a 2020 Honda Fit that was made in Mexico. That car was flawless in fit, finish, and all mechanical aspects during the three-plus years and 50K+ miles we owned it.

The same with its stablemate -- a 2009 Fit made in Japan -- which we still have, that sports an odo with almost 300K miles . An asshat turned in front of Kathi in Erie last September in a 90-mph closing speed crash that totaled it or it would sit outside in N.C. where we are are house-, dog-, an cat-sitting instead of the CR-V that replaced it.

That last is a very fine car, but if Honda still sold the Fit in the NA market, we'd have replaced it with another. Sadly,the 6th-gen Fit is only sold in Asia and Europe as the "Jazz." Honda still makes the HR-V and other models of cars and motorcycles in Mexico. I would not hesitate to buy a Honda assembled there.

Still, my favorite of the many cars in my past was -- surprise -- made in Italy: a 1976 Fiat 131.

Bought it in Virginia; shipped it to Italy , drove it there and all over western Europe for tree years, brought it back to the U.S.; sold it with 215K miles for a larger car need for our larger family. Great machine.

Bill

I thought the Honda car was named Fitta?
Anyhow, the European name is apparently Jazz.
Although I thought it was just in Sweden it was called Jazz.
Because in Sweden the name Fitta is equivalent to the English under the belt word “female/cat thingy”

 

[Tebax]

If a Guzzi I wanted were made and assembled anywhere but in Italy, I would not buy it. I accept that components and electronics are sourced internationally. I am happy knowing that designers and engineers are of any origin. This goes for all Italian-brand motorbikes. Suppose company ownership of a brand leaves Italy but the marque is still manufactured in an Italian factory. In that case, I must feel the fiz for a particular model to buy it. An "Italian motorcycle" is a regionally born cultural artifact birthed by passionate and beautifully imperfect people of Italic lineage.

I have owned an Alfa Romeo 156 (2001)a decade-ish ago.
A neighbor commented it when looking closer to it:
“It is not reliable with its Italian electrical system” he said.
I replied:
“Well, yes, Alfa Romeo have asked the world wide used manufacturer Bosch specifically to build in flaws in parts they deliver to Alfa Romeo”.

All electrical parts for motor managing system was Bosch made in that generation…
Electrical motors like for wind shield wipers etc are same parts used for many other brands.
I had also a Fiat Stilo of same early millennium generation, with an unusual semi stiff (oil filled) rear axel bushings.
It seemed quirky to me at first, but then I found out that the exact same design was used in the VW Golf same time or just a few years before.
Well, people like to spill their guts on smaller brands, especially on Italian brands…
Granted AR had some rust buckets in the 60’s and 70’s, but my AR 156 was considered mid range in safety, rust resistance, and reliability from the government reports. So a car with average reliability, but both a good looking and good driver car.

As I am a first time MG owner I am not worried one bit with my choice, nor do I have reasons for it.
MG uses top end parts for the new V100 in respect the electrical management system, brakes and suspension.
And they are the most experienced manufacturer with regards to drive shafts on motorcycles I imagine as it’s their signum next to the engine V configuration.

 

[South Westerly]

Yep it was the Jazz in the UK as well. Also had an Alfa Romeo back in the early 90's and it was a nice car to drive. Totally reliable and its Bosch electronics were fine. It never rusted and we did over 90000 miles in it.

 

[Sannio]

As for motorbikes: