(This image pretty much sums it up for me... except maybe without the "Scamper" tierra... depends on how much I've had to drink.)

Where's the RollerCraft? Where's the Dragster? You wanna know? Let's start with this press release:

HOUSTON, Texas – May 27, 2008 – LS MotorSports today announced that Sales and Marketing Manager for the Italjet USA brand, Steve Guzman, has decided to leave the company on May 30, 2008.

“Steve has done a tremendous job growing the Italjet dealer network in the United States. Unfortunately, manufacturing issues have caused a delay in delivering the 2008 product line forcing us to re-evaluate our requirements for the current season,” said LS Motorsports President Mathu Solo. “LS Motorsports is committed to leveraging the momentum established with the Italjet brand to achieve a strong and successful launch once the new products have landed on our shores.”

“I’m proud to have had the opportunity to promote such an iconic brand as Italjet to the US market,” Mr. Guzman said. “The Tartarini family is responsible for so many groundbreaking designs over the last 49 years. I trust Massimo’s passion for delivering a quality motor scooter and welcome their return when they’ve received his seal of approval. “

Terry Nesbitt, LS MotorSports VP of Sales and Marketing will be managing all Italjet USA accounts going forward. For additional information on the Italjet USA product line, please contact him at 281-690-5471.

Surprised? Disappointed? Yeah, me too. It turns out that Italjet SpA is in a predicament very similar to the historical "Predicament of 2007". What's wrong? Well, let me start with a little background on the financial environment there in Italy today. To put it bluntly, Italy's economy sucks. Banks aren't lending money, the ports are on strike... The picture is not "Bello" by any means. What does that have to to with Italjet? Let's continue.

Italjet is a design house; it's what they excel in. You remember the Dragster, right? And that was from way back in 1996! Since then they've come up with other great designs. Even recently the Amarcord has attracted LOTS of attention. Well, the game has changed a LOT since Leopaldo handed the reigns down to his son Massimo. It's not as easy as it used to be, "Hey Morini! I need this!" or "Motorini! Send me that!". Now everything is done in Asia. Ducati might still have some components made in Italy, but for the most part all other Italian manufacturers get their pieces come from places like India, China, Taiwan, Vietnam... Final assembly might be in Italy, but not much else.

This manufacturing model can yield pleasing results IF you can afford the right partnerships. BUT, if you are struggling to raise capital, you'll find yourself working with suppliers who are less.... um... disciplined. Italjet has spent the last couple of years learning that the hard way. The preproduction units haven't come near satisfying Massimo's quest for quality. The RollerCraft is a great example (the one I brought to the Dealer Expo this year). I'm not sure what generation that preproduction unit was (I'd be willing to guess it was like 5th or 6th), but if you got up close to it, you'd see it wasn't passable as traditional Italian fit & finish.

Massimo is feeling the pressure and disappointment more than anyone. He knows the great responsibility he holds as torchbearer for such a legendary name. He could have just signed off on the last preproduction sample and said "Good enough!", but he's not willing to throw in the towel.

(I've camped out at Austin Java for too long. Let me continue this story back at the lab.)
***TO BE CONTINUTED***

Read the complete post at http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheScooterScoop/~3/301540657/italjet-2008-status-slice-of-delicious.html