A collection of 100 significant Ducati motorcycles were put up for auction over the weekend in Monaco. Most of the bikes came from the Saltarelli collection but Ducati Corse through in a few bikes they had lying around. One of them just happened to be the last Ducati to win a MotoGP race.
With advanced ticket sales skyrocketing towards a new record for World Ducati Week 2012, Ducati have now given a sneak preview of a packed programme of four full days and nights of high-octane fun, further enhanced by the “Desmodromic passion” that make Ducati motorcycles so special.
As expected the official announcement of the acquisition of Ducati Motor Holdings by Audi Group has been made. The transaction is subject to the usual antitrust clearances. Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio has stated he is confident that the Audi Group will allow Ducati to continue strengthening its position in markets around the world.
Analysts are likening Audi’s purchase of Ducati to that of an older man taking a trophy bride as Reuters and others are calling the deal done with an official announcement soon. VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech seems to like Ducati so much he bought the company.
Ducati North America has announced its seventh consecutive quarter of sales growth, beginning 2012 with a 10.2% Q1 retail sales increase. Significant growth in all of its territories (USA, Canada and Mexico) continues to position North America as Ducati’s largest global market.
The awaited announcement that VW owned Audi is to acquire Ducati could come as early as this Wednesday according to sources cited by Reuters who claim to be familiar with the matter. The announcement would coincide with the expiration of an exclusive period of due diligence.
Ducati will return to Pikes Peak in 2012 for the 90th running of the “Race to the Clouds.” Defending champion and Pikes Peak motorcycle record holder, Carlin Dunne, will join six-time Pikes Peak winner,Greg Tracy, in an effort to defend the title for Ducati. However, in addition to racing, one of the most exciting aspects [...]
Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes and their performance division AMG, has denied outright any interest in buying Ducati despite their marketing partnership. It also seems that Audi’s interest in Ducati is for a controlling stake and not the entire company.
Further to the news that Volkswagen was in advanced talks to acquire Ducati via its Audi name plate comes fresh news that Audi has bid €750 Million Euros for the Italian motorcycle and style icon.
Ducati are gearing-up for the new riding season with “Ducati Dream Tours”, the perfect weekend escape that combines the unforgettable experience of visiting the famous Italian motorcycle Factory and Museum with the pleasure of riding a Ducati along the legendary roads that surround Bologna.
