RE: PH2: Is Ducati up for sale?
Wednesday 15th February 2012
Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati could be up for sale this summer - either that or the firm's private equity owners could float the company.
Ducati boss Andrea Bonomi also told the Financial Times on Sunday that several companies in the US and Europe are looking at buying the famous Italian marque. Among the companies in the frame include Volkswagen and possibly even BMW, though VW declined to comment on the matter and BMW is said to be not 'currently' interested in acquiring Ducati.
PH2: Is Ducati up for sale?
That's what the business press is saying...
Bloomberg news service reports that Ducati Motor Holding's owners are looking for an 'industrial partner' to sell the company to - and raise 1bn euros (£837m) in the process.
Harley-Davidson is also on the shortlist of suitors, but given that Harley has recently rid itself of the Buell and MV Agusta brands, it seems unlikely that it would be keen to add a new marquee to its portfolio right now.
Even if Ducati can't find an outright buyer, however, those plans to sell shares in the company to the general public mean that Ducati could soon find itself in new ownership one way or another.
Discussion
It's a bit more than a rumour. The company MD has told the FT that they are looking to sell to a company that can rustle up enough investment for the future.
VW are bound to be the frame as they have been rumoured to be entering the motorcycle market for years, either with their own bike or by buying a brand.
HD have just ditched MV so they won't be interested.
MB might, but doubt it.
BMW, I can't see the point.
Most likely to be another investment firm.
VW are bound to be the frame as they have been rumoured to be entering the motorcycle market for years, either with their own bike or by buying a brand.
HD have just ditched MV so they won't be interested.
MB might, but doubt it.
BMW, I can't see the point.
Most likely to be another investment firm.
hostyle said:
I don't think VW buying Duc would spell disaster. Look at what they've done with Lamborghini. They still make bonkers cars, but now they actually work. And some of the VW top brass are bike nuts.
BMW on the other hand would buy a direct competitor for some of their own bikes...
Agree, VW buying it would be a good solution, like you say, saved Lamborghini and they still make just as mental cars now as they did in the Countach and Diablo era. BMW on the other hand would buy a direct competitor for some of their own bikes...
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