Ducati 1199 Panigale S and Audi R8 GT |
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.
Source: Audi AG
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