It's Official: Ducati Sold To Audi/Volkswagen

[Combo]

I never would have dreamt this. You just never know.

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/industry-news/2012/04/18/it-s-official-ducati-sold-to-audi-volkswagen/


What's next............Yamaha purchased by Bultaco. ::025::

 

[Jakeboy]

I hope Ducati's "heart and soul", remains through this change of ownership.

Boardrooms have a way (sometimes), of taking the essence away from a newly acquired company.

 

[fredz43]

I never would have dreamt this. You just never know.




What's next............Yamaha purchased by Bultaco. ::025::

Oh, I hope so! (see my avatar) ;D

 

[SisuTen]

Oh, I hope so! (see my avatar) ;D

Personally kinda hoping for:

Kidding aside, I had heard some murmurs about a VW motorcycle 2 or 3 years ago. I gave a "pshaw" then, maybe it actually was in the works. Apparently Ducati was being dealt with by one of those outfits that rescue companies (without government bailouts paid for by the taxpayers). Seems it was on the ropes and needed help. I'm glad Audi/VW did this is and it's likely going to be a good thing. It never hurts to have some real money behind a good company. Audi/VW is a very savvy company and they won't mess Ducati up. I'd be nervous if it was GM buying it. We'd then have some sort of odd government/taxpayer funded hybrid bastard, looking like the illegitimate child born of a Yugo and an Aermacchi that gets 25 miles on a 12 hour charge. ::025:: ::025:: ::025::

Paul

 

[GrahamD]

I think the new Ducwagons will probably be good things.

VAG seem to be able to keep the heart and soul going while putting the hardware on a sensible path.

Looking forward to seeing what happens.

 

[Epping]

Seems it was on the ropes and needed help.
Paul

Actually, I just read they had the best year ever this past year and financially were really solid.

 

[hANNAbONE]

...well - it looks like my dream of owning a Duc sometime in my existence just got dimmer.

The one and only Audi (*Audios*) that I owned was such an electrical problematic piece of iron

that I couldn't wait to get rid of it and move back to Japanese made vehicles.

I am done with German / Austrian made anything.

I still dig Triumph & Aprilia - but they are the only ones.

 

[SisuTen]

Actually, I just read they had the best year ever this past year and financially were really solid.

You bet! Companies that help restructure other companies do exactly what you describe. They don't buy the company to keep it, but rather to make it into a valuable asset for resale. They were successful and presented to Audi/VW a package that can make them a lot of money in the future, not to mention the marketing cachet that Ducati brings.

I'm kinda surprised Fiat/Chrysler didn't buy them, It would have been a good match marketing-wise, but they have a lot of other issues just trying to sell Fiats in America and overcome their own stigma from the past. ("Fix It Again, Tony" ring a bell?) I suspect Fiat has brought their game up some, as well. Bringing in Chrysler engineering had to help.

Hannebone: I suspect you had a VW or Audi that was produced in the 80's or early 90's. They definitely had issues. I fought through those years with them myself. They, as have most auto companies, brought their game up a lot in recent years.

Not selling VW's on the side, just sayin'.

Paul

 

[AL-58]

Just looking at what they've done with Lamborghini proves that pretty well. They are still Lamborghinis not dressed up Audis. Bentley much the same, they are still identifiable as Bentleys. I've no doubt they will remain as Ducatis but there's also no doubt that Audi will have some engineering input (as both Lamborghini and Bentley show)

Will they keep racing though? Thats not much more than a big hole in the ground that you pour money into.

Al

I think the new Ducwagons will probably be good things.

VAG seem to be able to keep the heart and soul going while putting the hardware on a sensible path.

Looking forward to seeing what happens.

 

[RogerJ]

Was at the Ducati factory near Bologna last year for the tour. Very good experience. Excellent tracking and signing-off by each technician all along the assembly and testing process. Men and women technicians and a lot of women on quality control. One set of paper goes everywhere with each unit to be able to follow up should any issue arise. Looks like they have their act together. Also got a peek through the tiny window into Ducati Corse (it's a top secret area). They have 120 employees in that area alone. I expect Audi/VW will not make any big changes. Just wish that Yamaha gave factory tours of their Japan plant where our bikes are made.

 

[GrahamD]

Just wish that Yamaha gave factory tours of their Japan plant where our bikes are made.

Yeah, it Japan seems to be a bit reluctant to do things like that. The occasional video and the occasional lead designer trotted out at launch time but then they all seem to head back to the bunker. Maybe it's different in Japan itself or maybe they are just too competitive withh each other and worry that there will be a too many spies in the crowd from the competition up the road.

Triumph will make leaks available all the time, while YAMAHA just pops up one day at a show and says "Oh by the way here is the new Tenere"

 

[SisuTen]

Will they keep racing though? Thats not much more than a big hole in the ground that you pour money into.

Al

There's only one reason they race...to sell motorcycles. If they didn't race, you wouldn't even know what their bikes look like. It's definitely not a hole to pour money down.

You can bet the farm that they will continue, particularly because BMW makes the awesome S1000RR. If anything the competition will get stronger and better.

Two German companies full of blockhead pride.... ::015::

 

[GrahamD]

Two German companies full of blockhead pride.... ::015::

I hope they compete on reliability and not horsepower. (in the "ADV" segment). I don't think we need 300HP Adventure bikes with 100km ranges.

 

[Maurice]

Now its waiting for the new Ducaudi with 2 wheel drive and DSG gear box.

 

[hANNAbONE]

Hannabone: I suspect you had a VW or Audi that was produced in the 80's or early 90's. They definitely had issues. I fought through those years with them myself. They, as have most auto companies, brought their game up a lot in recent years.

Not selling VW's on the side, just sayin'.

Paul

...nope - 1999 "A6" ... she was illegal red and a pleasure to drive - anything over 80 was a dream.

I drove from Des Moines to Denver (*700 miles*) in just over 8 hours. She was deff a cruizer.

But the crazy electronic problems blemished that ride. I did log almost 75000 miles on it.

 

[digitalmoto]

Wired had an interesting take on the topic.
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/audi-buys-ducati/
It might be a good thing. After all VW owns Lambo and they made a huge turn-around under VW leadership.

 

[SisuTen]

I hope they compete on reliability and not horsepower. (in the "ADV" segment). I don't think we need 300HP Adventure bikes with 100km ranges.

I agree, Graham. I wish that Ducati had the sense to make the Multi an actual "Multi" instead of a hot street bike intended to be a dual sport poser. I rode the Multi and it was impressive, but didn't fit my demographic. Moreover, I would prefer that any of the manufacturers produce an Adv segment bike that concentrated on lots of torque down low and a long enough gearbox (extra OD gear?) that would provide solid tour speeds. This could be done, but likely won't. I don't believe the segment should try to emulate motocrossers, but rather enduros or six-day machines. Kind of like a two wheel Jeep Rubicon.

..nope - 1999 "A6" ... she was illegal red and a pleasure to drive - anything over 80 was a dream.

I drove from Des Moines to Denver (*700 miles*) in just over 8 hours. She was deff a cruizer.

But the crazy electronic problems blemished that ride. I did log almost 75000 miles on it.

Hannabone, I feel your pain. I haven't had a VW/Audi product since the early 90's (ironically, same reason) and thought they had resolved most of that. Thirteen years later, I hope they've done better. I don't think there will be much trickle down to Ducati, in any case (I hope!).

Paul

 

[Checkswrecks]

Actually it all makes sense.

For efficiency of volume production which they've heard is a good thing, Audi wants to adopt BMW motorcycle switchgear and swingarms.

Meanwhile and for their next big tourer, BMW wants the secret of Audi’s reverse gear, so the bike can run away from Japanese competitors on it’s own.

::015::