The "GIOS by Alfredo Gios" website, http://www.gios.it/, has posted this information on the home page:
"2009: An historical brand toward the new century
This year represents a new milestone and turning point for the "Blue Bikes brand" as Alfredo signs a strategic agreement with a Top Japanese Company in order to strengthen and spread even more the presence of the GIOS brand worldwide: new innovative models 100% styled and designed in Italy with the logistical and commercial support of a new Osaka based international sales office.
From this new joint-venture the GIOS of the 21st century is born in order to serve even more and better than before all the needs of the nowadays consumers worldwide. Keep yourself posted on all the latest news about your favourite brand at www.gios.it or feel free to ask for more information by sending us an e-mail."
Under the "Corporate" button there is:
GIOS Design / Innovation Office:
via Aurelio Saffi 26
10138 Torino, Italy
tel: +39 366 1991104
email: gios@gios.it
GIOS International / Sales Office:
GIOS Japan
3-34-8 Tarumicho, Osaka, Japan
tel: +81 06-6368-9700
fax: +81 06-6368-9701
email: international@gios.it
Given that, it appears that there is a move to build GIOS bikes in Japan.
However, then this different GIOS website has been launched:
The "Original GIOS Torino", http://www.giostorino.it/, proclaiming "the true steel frames made in Italy." Shown, and appearing int he photographs above, is the most well-known GIOS frame, the Super Record Strada with the Gt logo that was created by Aldo Gios in 1973 fro Team Brooklyn. There is also a Super Record Pista model plus Ti, Alu and Alu/Carbon models.
The site also says, "Aldo and Marco Gios wait for you in order to present the new collection of frames and bicycles that have made cycling history."
The address for GIOS Torino is given as:
BICICLETTE GIOS
Via Kant n° 6
10088 Volpiano - (TO)
info@giostorino.it
A family split?
Photos: of GIOS Super Strada as appears at http://www.giostorino.it/
Related stories:
GIOS Super Record: Attention to Detail
GIOS Flickr Group, "Tante vittorie, un solo colore: Blu Gios!"
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,200 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
What's Going On With GIOS?
The following four photos are from the "Original GIOS Torino" website, read on.....
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Guido from http://italiaanseracefietsen.wordpress.com/ emailed in, "Gios splitted their company for legal matters, not because of family matters."
ReplyDeleteand more from Guido, "They now have a more 'casual' bike range, made in Japan (www.gios.com) and a more professional range of new italian made bikes at www.giostorino.com. Here you can also find the new GIOS showroom, (because they have moved from their old workshop) and the new 2010 bikes."
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize any Gios were still made in Italy. I assumed the name was sold years ago and wasn't sure where the frames were made.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see they're still in Italy - and now Japan.
Guido wrote in with add'l information that was posted in a Dutch forum: "There were many rumors in recent months about the division of GIOS. Time for clarification and the real story behind all the developments of recent times.
ReplyDeleteThere was no family feud between Alfredo and Aldo Gios, of this there is absolutely no question. The decision to split the old GIOS into two new parts was a pure business decision, motivated by an annoying longstanding legal matter.
GIOS was wrapped in a costly legal battle with one, for privacy reasons undisclosed, wealthy, Belgian dealer. A suit was involved which the Belgian won and the result was that GIOS could be in jeopardy.
The case was very expensive for GIOS so much so that it affected the liquidity of the small company.
The solution proved to be to liquidate the old GIOS. For the the Belgian party there was nothing left to achieve and no further damage could be caused to GIOS. The new GIOS is not a contracting party of the Belgians.
Then the new GIOS established a company in two parts run by Alfredo and his brother Aldo. Alfredo focuses his Japanese-made range from www.gios.it aimed and touring and city bikes. Marco and Aldo run the new racing bike through www.giostorino.it for race-oriented riders.
GIOS is beginning new collection for 2010 building on the tradition of the past. Including specifically the individual 'Italian' philosophy of frame building geometry is maintained. GIOS is alive!