Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 27

Thread: Audi has acquired Ducati

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Rozenburg
    Posts
    10,012

    Audi has acquired Ducati

    The deal had leaked out some time ago but yesterday it was made official; Audi has bought Ducati. Interestingly, one of the current sponsors of the Italian manufacturer's MotoGP team is AMG-Mercedes.

    The press release:

    AUDI AG is acquiring from Investindustrial Group the tradition-steeped Italian sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., which has its registered office in Bologna. The transaction will be completed as quickly as possible once authorized by the competition authorities. The Supervisory Boards of AUDI AG and Volkswagen AG approved the acquisition today in Hamburg. Ducati is known worldwide as a leading brand in motorcycle manufacture, with outstanding expertise in engine development and lightweight construction.

    Alongside the traditional Italian brands Lamborghini and Italdesign, Ducati is now a third pillar for AUDI AG in Northern Italy. Another building block in the Company’s growth strategy thus falls into place. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, declared: “Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles. It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction, and is one of the world’s most profitable motorcycle manufacturers. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi.” The progressive control systems and special combustion chamber process of Ducati engines, their resulting sporty character, and Ducati’s extensive know-how in lightweight construction thus offer great potential for AUDI AG and the Volkswagen Group.

    Peter Mosch, Chairman of the General Works Council of AUDI AG, explains that the employee representatives of AUDI AG support the Company’s sustainable, co-determined growth strategy. “We must use the opportunities offered by globalization for Audi – and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Everyone at Audi is looking forward to working with our new colleagues from Ducati,” commented Mosch.

    Ducati is a globally active company and has manufacturing operations at its headquarters in Bologna and at its own factory in Thailand. It maintains a series of importer companies in strategic markets. Experts predict that the motorcycle market will enjoy strong growth over the next few years, especially in Asia. In 2011, Ducati sold around 42,000 motorcycles and generated revenue of some €480 million, employing around 1,100 people.

    The company was founded by Adriano and Marcello Ducati in Bologna in 1926. Known originally as Societā Scientifica Radiobrevetti Ducati, it initially built parts for radios. It ventured into the manufacture of motorcycles in 1949.

    Ducati has been actively involved in motorcycle racing for many decades through its racing division Ducati Corse. Its racing activities are currently focused on the Ducati official factory team in the MotoGP class of the Motorcycle World Championship and in the Superbike World Championship, supporting competitive private teams. Ducati won the manufacturers’ championship in this latter class 17 times in 21 championships and the pilots’ 14 times.
    If you should see a man walking down a crowded street talking aloud to himself, don't run in the opposite direction, but run towards him, because he's a poet. You have nothing to fear from the poet - but the truth.

    (Ted Joans)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Near the middle of the middle of middle England.
    Posts
    370
    I wonder if we'll start seeing Ducati's engines hanging over the front wheels..
    Buying a car and not driving it is like buying a meal and not eating it.

    "Oh sh*t, we're going..25!!" - A dear friend of mine.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Reality
    Posts
    3,151
    LOL!! ^^

    I didn't even know they wanted to sell. Surprised that Mercedes didn't pick them up considering they're the ones sponsoring them, and Ducati has already released AMG edition bikes. Oh well. There's already so many things in the motoring world to face/palm about. What's one more?


  4. #4
    Nice pic on bike.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Mexico City, Mexico
    Posts
    4,708
    Iīm a little baffled as to why AMG didnīt buy Ducati? They not only sponsor the Moto GP bikes, but AMG licenced their name for use on the Diavel. I guess now that particular model will have to be canceled right away

    The good news is that now Ducati will have access to Audiīs deep pockets for R&D I hope they do the same for Ducati that they did for Lambo. Italian flair plus German quality. No that Ducati quality is bad now mind you. To me Ducati if the Ferrari of the motorbike world, I canīt wait to see what bikes this new venture turns out
    Attached Images Attached Images
    "NEVER ALLOW SOMEONE TO BE YOUR PRIORITY, WHILE ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BE THEIR OPTION"

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Barcelona
    Posts
    33,489
    Quote Originally Posted by taz_rocks_miami View Post
    I hope they do the same for Ducati that they did for Lambo.
    All wheel drive motorcycles here we come...
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Perth, Australia
    Posts
    6,534
    Yamaha already did them for the Dakar.. until they were banned. Also they were too nose heavy in the dunes.
    Life's too short to drive bad cars.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Barcelona
    Posts
    33,489
    Quote Originally Posted by pimento View Post
    ...they were too nose heavy...
    Mmmm...

    Let me think.

    Where did I last experience that?

    Ah yes, now I remember it.

    At the wheel of an Audi.

    So everything makes perfect sense.

    Probably.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    East Coast of the United States
    Posts
    11,994
    Why is it that Audi acquired Ducati and not VW?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Perth, Australia
    Posts
    6,534
    Accounting.
    Life's too short to drive bad cars.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    2
    I know this is sort of old news but do you guys think that Audi bought Ducato to catch up with BMW Motorbikes?
    Last edited by csl177; 08-28-2012 at 03:42 PM. Reason: spam sig: http://www.projecthoneypot.org/ip_78.146.210.152

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Rozenburg, Holland
    Posts
    27,329
    Quote Originally Posted by vorm View Post
    I know this is sort of old news but do you guys think that Audi bought Ducato to catch up with BMW Motorbikes?
    could well be....but they will never admit to that.
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    nr Edinburgh, Whisky-soaked Scotland
    Posts
    27,775
    You wouldn't buy Ducati to catch up with any performance 4-banger bike
    BRAND IMAGE I think they've purchased
    "A woman without curves is like a road without bends, you might get to your destination quicker but the ride is boring as hell'

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Barcelona
    Posts
    33,489
    Quote Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine View Post
    You wouldn't buy Ducati to catch up with any performance 4-banger bike
    BRAND IMAGE I think they've purchased
    Makes perfect sense then...
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    2
    Do you think it help them catch up with BMW in the car industry in anyway though?

    Car service
    Last edited by vorm; 09-04-2012 at 02:39 AM.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Really useful performance listings...
    By Egg Nog in forum Technical forums
    Replies: 59
    Last Post: 04-18-2021, 05:13 PM
  2. Audi R18 (LMP1) 2011-
    By Ecnelis in forum Matt's Hi-Res Hide-Out
    Replies: 209
    Last Post: 10-29-2016, 06:19 AM
  3. all cars all years 0-60 and 1/4mile time
    By matheus in forum General Automotive
    Replies: 51
    Last Post: 04-26-2015, 06:29 PM
  4. PRESS RELEASE: Commanding 1-2 victory for Audi at Mid-Ohio.
    By QuattroMan in forum General Automotive
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-21-2008, 08:49 AM
  5. Audi Teams Face Tough Task At Le Mans
    By QuattroMan in forum Racing forums
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-19-2005, 10:55 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •