It looks like VW might be testing out the market to see if they can sell Ducati, which they own indirectly through their other company Audi - because VW have been nasty corporate criminals and need all the money to pay out epic amounts in fines and lawsuits ! Will Ducati still have pockets deep enough to pay for their racing, on the back of sales of their motorcycles ? I would argue that Ducati's racing programme cannot really be paid for on the back of the sales of bikes that number only in the tens of thousands of units annually. Did Lorenzo join Ducati just as the money dries up ? Anyway, bit more about it here:http://www.bikesportnews.com/news/news-detail/ducati-set-for-sale-by-owners-volkswagen
They've been racing since the 50's in one form or another. In recent history Ducati managed to fund Stoner's championship winning season in 2007, pre VAG acquisition. Not to mention Foggy in WSB in the 90's. It's interesting, but I'm sure they'll get by.
they have done a couple other bits and pieces too lol... mattie your trust in the bike media tho is something to behold lol
How about this from REUTERS news agency then ? http://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-ducati-sale-exclusive-idUSKBN17S23J My concern is that Ducati has benefited from the deep pockets of the VW group - very deep pockets. Ducati have a world champion in Lorenzo, as a team rider, and former champion Stoner as a test rider. Their MotoGP team must be an expensive operation. We have seen how expensive bikes have become, with all the technology. Running a factory race team, at the front in MotoGp with world champions on your team is going to be expensive. Aprilia manage, probably because they are part of the larger Piaggio group. Suzuki likewise do not just sell bikes, nor do Honda and Yamaha. I just don't think Ducati can continue to maintain such a race effort in BSB, MotoGP and WSBK if they are sold off and have to fend for themselves - based on sales of a 'declining' sports bike market, and the sales of a few other cheaper models - I just can't see it being able to carry on at this level. Anyway it hasn't happened yet !
As much as I don't like the little spartan-mamba-butter-hammer, I'm sure his contract is iron clad with plenty of clauses to protect him
More gossip, for anyone interested ! Could Royal Enfield buy Ducati ? http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ing-up-to-buy-ducati/articleshow/58567363.cms Anyway, Ducati are not masters of their own destiny - they will be sold on to new masters.
Ducati are funded directly by the Phillip Morris group, have been for many years. Think Marlboro cigarettes. Look at the colour scheme...it is maintained despite not being allowed to have Marlboro stamped all over it.
Now it looks as if Harley-Davidson are making enquiries about a possible deal for Ducati. The price is reputed to be EUR 1.5 billion ! Seems a bit over-priced to me, but hey, it will be a laugh https://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-ducati-m-a-idUSKBN19C1XX
Worked long for Cagiva group as test driver , started in australia in 1988 do not need google for know that ...
More finance news from the world of - finance news. This time something more interesting than the stock price of dreary pension funds. That is right, it is about Ducati. It seems the sell-off is still, on. Eicher Motors of India are still keen on acquiring Ducati and they are putting together a binding bid of $1.8 billion - the deadline for submission of a binding bid is the end of the month. However, the naughty German car maker, that ultimately owns Ducati, has a meeting of their supervisory board on 29 September to discuss proposals. Previously the trade union that holds half of the seats on the supervisory board, opposed the sale process - and they all had to go home. So it might still be game on - Gotten Himmel !!! Read all about it: http://auto.economictimes.indiatime...ucati-to-make-a-binding-bid-of-1-8bn/60401363 (article is dated 07 Sept 2017)
Given the plummeting price of diesels ATM the choice might be to the union, sell this company or you won't be getting a pay rise next year.
