Italika

Comercializadora de Motocicletas de Calidad, S.A. de C.V., commonly known as Italika, is a Mexican motorcycle brand established on November 1, 2004, by Ricardo Salinas Pliego.[1] Italika operates two assembly plants —one in Tlalpan, Mexico City, and another in Toluca, State of Mexico—and distributes products across Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. With over eight million customers, Italika is the top-selling motorcycle brand in Mexico.

The company markets its products through Elektra stores, its own agencies, self-service channels, Elektra Motos stores, official distributors and its online platform. Italika offers a diverse range of product lines and models, and in 2016, launched Italika Racing, a platform dedicated to promoting new talent in motorcycling sports.

History

Italika began operations in 2004 under the initiative of businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego. In 2008, it established an assembly plant in Toluca, State of Mexico, with a production capacity of 760,000 motorcycles annually. The company sold its millionth motorcycle on March 23, 2011, reaching two million units by 2014.[1][2]

Italika Racing

In partnership with Lorenzo Competición México, Italika launched Italika Racing in 2016 to promote sport motorcycling and develop emerging talent, according to Business Insider.[16] Italika Racing competitions use Italika models without modification, allowing for consistent tracking of new talent. Italika Racing has pioneered several initiatives, including the first children's electric motorcycle cup and participation in the Women's Circuit Racing World Championship, organized by Dorna Sports. This global event includes eight riders trained through Italika Racing, with Mexican Astrid Madrigal marking history as the first Mexican rider in this championship.[17][18]

Championships

Talento Italika Junior

This youth-focused series, certified as a Road to MotoGP program and endorsed by the Mexican Motorcycling Federation, is aimed at riders up to 17 years old. The championship includes the DM 125 Cup, Vort-X 200 Cup, and RT 250 Cup,[19][20] with its first event held in September 2017 in Querétaro.[21]

Talento Italika

Targeted at riders aged 12-21 with prior competitive experience,[22] this series, certified as a Road to MotoGP and endorsed by the Mexican Motorcycling Federation, currently features the Vort-X 300 Cup. Like the Junior Championship, it launched its inaugural season in 2017.[23]

Italika Women’s International Cup

The Italika Women's International Cup is a Latin American women’s championship certified as a Road to MotoGP event and endorsed by FIMLA.[24] Notable champions include Astrid Madrigal[25] and rider Sara Varón.[26] Other championships organized by Italika include the Ibero-American Women's Championship, featuring the Vort-X 500 model[27] in a single-event format, and the Latin American Youth Championship, a mixed competition for riders aged 12 to 20 using Vort-X 300 motorcycles.[27]

Talento Italika Junior

Talento Italika

Italika Women’s International Cup

Featured Riders

Prominent riders include Mexican Astrid Madrigal, a two-time champion of the Italika Women's International Cup and Latin American champion,[28] and Colombian rider Sara Varón,[29] who competed as part of the first Latin American team in Spain’s ESBK Supersport 300 Championship. Both riders trained in Italika’s high-performance centers, representing Latin America in international championships.[30]

High Performance Centers (CIAR)

Italika's High-Performance Centers (in Spanish, Centros Italika de Alto Rendimiento or CIAR) were established to promote motorcycling sports across all socioeconomic levels and develop talent from a young age.[16] Italika operates three CIAR facilities: in Sierra Esmeralda and Villa del Carbón in the State of Mexico,[31] and in Guadalajara, Jalisco.[32]

type	Public Corporation
foundation	2005
location	Toluca, Mexico
area served	Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Honduras, Peru, Panama, El Salvador and Argentina
key people	Ricardo B. Salinas
industry	Manufacturing
products	motorcycles
parent	Grupo Salinas
website	https://www.italika.mx/

History

Assembly Plant

Products

Models

Italika Racing

Championships

Talento Italika Junior

Talento Italika

Italika Women’s International Cup

Talento Italika Junior

Talento Italika

Italika Women’s International Cup

Featured Riders

High Performance Centers (CIAR)

External links

References