Audi has acquired Ducati

[Wouter Melissen]

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 Società 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.

[W.R.]

I wonder if we'll start seeing Ducati's engines hanging over the front wheels..

[DesmoRob]

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?

[David_Hussey]

Nice pic on bike.

[taz_rocks_miami]

I´m a little baffled as to why AMG didn´t 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 Audi´s 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 can´t wait to see what bikes this new venture turns out

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by taz_rocks_miami

I hope they do the same for Ducati that they did for Lambo.

All wheel drive motorcycles here we come...

[pimento]

Yamaha already did them for the Dakar.. until they were banned. Also they were too nose heavy in the dunes.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by pimento

...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.

[NSXType-R]

Why is it that Audi acquired Ducati and not VW?

[pimento]

Accounting.

[vorm]

I know this is sort of old news but do you guys think that Audi bought Ducato to catch up with BMW Motorbikes?

[henk4]

Originally Posted by vorm

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.

[Matra et Alpine]

You wouldn't buy Ducati to catch up with any performance 4-banger bike
BRAND IMAGE I think they've purchased

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

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...

[vorm]

Do you think it help them catch up with BMW in the car industry in anyway though?

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