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 on Wednesday in Hamburg.
Ducati is known worldwide as a leading brand in motorcycle manufacture, with
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 EUR ($630 million), employing around 1,100 people.
The company was founded by Adriano and Marcello Ducati in Bologna in 1926. Known
originally as Societa 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.
