AUDI AG acquires sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.


Ingolstadt/Bologna, April 18, 2012 – 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, codetermined
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.

 

So what will happen with the AMG Ducatis?

 

Mercedes, removed ducati from their marketing campaign. Which is not surprising, really

 

VAG taking over the world!!

Is this going to be good for Ducati?