Motori Minarelli is an Italian motorcycle engine manufacturer. It is part of the Fantic Motor group.
History
Motori Minarelli was founded in Bologna in 1951 as a motorcycle manufacturer. In 1954 it also began to build mopeds. Two years later Minarelli switched exclusively to 2-stroke engine manufacture and a new 2000 square metre factory was constructed for these purposes. It employed 20 technical staff and produced 70 engines a day. These were sold to companies in Italy, other parts of Europe and South America.[1]
In 1967 the company changed its name to Motori Minarelli and opened a new plant in Calderara di Reno. By the 1970s engine production had reached 250,000 units a year. The company also entered motorcycle racing and won a number of titles.[1]
In 1990 the company began a business relationship with Yamaha. Five years later it employed 350 people and engine production had reached 450,000 units a year. In 2002, following changes in the world motorcycle market, Motori Minarelli became a member of the Yamaha Group.