| Motori Minarelli S.p.A. | |
| Type: | Subsidiary (S.p.A.) |
| Founder: | Vittorio Minarelli Franco Morini |
| Area Served: | Worldwide |
| Industry: | Automotive |
| Products: | Motorcycle engines |
| Owner: | Fantic Motor |
| Parent: | VeNetWork |
| Foundation: | 1951 |
| Location City: | Calderara di Reno, Bologna |
| Location Country: | Italy |
| Homepage: | https://motoriminarelli.it/en/home-eng/ |
Motori Minarelli is an Italian motorcycle engine manufacturer. It is part of the Fantic Motor group.
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.
In 2020 Fantic Motor acquired 100% of the shares from Yamaha.[1]