Audi may announce Ducati acquisition in this week .

Luxury carmaker Audi  plans to announce the acquisition of Ducati next week,the German car giant had put the bid to Andrea Bonomi, the owner of the Investindustrial, the private equity firm which controls about 70% of the legendary bike manufacturer since a takeover in 2008 and is looking to double its money.The other stake holders include  Red Borgo Panigal with 20% and the bottom Canadian Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan about 7%. Earlier many buyers were in race to buy Ducati including Hero Motocorp and Mahindra from Indian contingent but now it seems Audi has almost made it .

One of the sources said that Ducati's main shareholder, Italian buyout firm Investindustrial, agreed to talk with Audi exclusively and the buyout could be announced as early as 18th April .
Volkswagen, Audi and Investindustrial declined to comment.

A successful deal would extend Audi's long-standing rivalry with BMW  to superbikes, and add expertise about high-revving light engines to VW's engineering portfolio, which ranges from cars through heavy trucks to ship engines.

This is not the first attempt that Volkswagen has made for Ducati's acquisition , in 2005 they tried to buy Ducati from Texas Pacific Group but then it was acquired by Investindustrial. The potential acquisition will make Volkswagen brand portfolio to twelve including Audi.

Ducati, founded in 1926, has won 17 manufacturer's World Championship titles over the past 60 years, most recently the 2011 World Superbike trophy.

To know more about Ducati's acquisition click HERE

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Audi set offer of 750 Million Euro to buy Ducati

Just a couple of days ago, we had informed you that Iconic Italian motorcycle maker Ducati is up for sale , possibly considering Volkswagen and BMW as potential suitor . Hero Motocorp and Mahindra from our Indian contingent also had an eye on Ducati . But now we have a got a latest update that Audi is set to offer  750 MILLION EURO to buy Ducati .

The German car giant has put the bid to Andrea Bonomi, the owner of the Investindustrial, the private equity firm which controls about 70% of the legendary bike manufacturer since a takeover in 2008 and is looking to double its money.The other stake holders include  Red Borgo Panigal with 20% and the bottom Canadian Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan about 7%.

There are speculations that Audi's,  750 million euro bid for Ducati, which while being lesser than the 850 million euros that InvestIndustrial sought for Ducati, could be accepted

Volkswagen's Audi brand is in full force to include Ducati in their stable of brands and triumph over their arch rival BMW . For Audi, whose Ingolstadt headquarters has become a key research and development center for lightweight fuel saving technologies, Ducati's engine technology could add a new development dimension.

It's a well-known fact that Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piëch has long been interested in adding Ducati to the VW Group's already massive stable of brands .VW had expressed interest in Ducati in the past but chose to pursue an interest in Suzuki which has turned out badly for both parties.

Apart from Volkswagen’s Audi, Hero MotoCorp and Mercedes Benz’s AMG were also reported to be in the race for Ducati.It remains to be seen whether Hero MotoCorp and Mercedes Benz’s tuning divison AMG, have also made bids for the Italian motorcycle maker.

Is Ducati's Future in the Four Rings?
Stay updated to get the latest news .

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Audi in talks to buy Italy’s Ducati

Just a couple of weeks ago, we had informed you that Iconic Italian motorcycle maker Ducati is up for sale , possibly considering Volkswagen and BMW as potential suitors. Hero Motocorp and Mahindra from our Indian contingent were also showing intentions to take their brand to the next level and to think beyond the small displacement motorcycles they're currently known for. But as of now as per our sources the current interested suitors include Volkswagen's Audi brand and BMW in the forefront not that Hero Motocorp and Mahindra are out of the race .

Volkswagen's Audi brand is in full force to include Ducati in their stable of brands and triumph over their arch rival BMW .
Audi the premium cars arm of Europe's top car maker Volkswagen  was in discussions with the private equity group that controls the Italian firm about a purchase.

A successful deal would extend Audi's long-standing rivalry with BMW  to superbikes, and add expertise about high-revving light engines to VW's engineering portfolio, which ranges from cars through heavy trucks to ship engines.
Basically VW wants to extend its legacy in the biking sector as well since it is the only department in which VW hasn't featured yet  .

For Audi, whose Ingolstadt headquarters has become a key research and development center for lightweight fuel saving technologies, Ducati's engine technology could add a new development dimension.

If rumors are correct, Ducati is hoping for a total purchase price of 850 million euros, or about 1.1 billion dollars – but that figure includes 800 million euros of debt, meaning the actual sale price of the brand itself would be just $65 million and currently Volkswagen's Audi brand is int forefront

Ducati has, in the past, positioned itself as the two-wheeled equivalent to Audi, whatever that means. And finally, having Ducati as its two-wheeled partner would give Audi yet another talking point in its longstanding rivalry with BMW.

Audi isn't the only serious suitor for Ducati. There's talk of potential ownership by India's Mahindra and Germany's Mercedes-Benz, who's own AMG performance division is a strategic marketing partner with Ducati as it is. Audi parent Volkswagen, too, is said to be in the running for a bid to own the famed Italian motorcycle marque.

Ducati currently sells a range of motorcycles in India including the Ducati Monster, the Ducati Hypermotard, the Ducati 848, the Ducati 1098 and the Ducati Diavel. Ducati sells over 40,000 motorcycles across the globe and has been in existence for over  86 years. Bologna headquartered Ducati has had a series of owners in the past.
We'll keep you up to date with any more information on Ducati's future ownership as time goes on.

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Ducati and Clothier Diesel Design Custom Motorcycle

Amidst all the talks about Ducati being on sale, comes a new refreshing piece of news. Ducati Motor Holding SpA is teaming with apparel maker Diesel to roll out the Monster Diesel, a special edition of the company’s popular standard or “naked” motorcycle. The new custom model is the latest move in a partnership that began last year with Diesel’s sponsorship of Ducati’s MotoGP racing team.A diesel edition monster 1100 EVO has been launched, which is in view of their partnership. The new model is based on the original Monster 1100 EVO with a military theme developed by the Ducati Design Centre  and Diesel founder Renzo Rosso.

Diesel Brave Green Matte against a backdrop of black trellis frame, wheels, engine cover, exhausts and forks. Yellow Brembo front brake caliper and Sachs Monoshock keep the contrast alive.

The companies unveiled the first product of the collaboration in New York and will introduce the bike in Diesel stores in Rome on March 22 and Tokyo-Shibuya March 29. Ducati and Diesel call the custom bike an “urban military chic interpretation” of the production Ducati Monster 1100EVO.

Ducati said its designers worked with Diesel founder Renzo Rosso to develop the new bike’s military-inspired theme.

The dual-branded Capsule Collection the companies share includes the motorcycles and a range of clothing from slim-fitting biker jackets, sweats and T-shirts to accessories. The companies said the items are “characterized by pure biker attitude.”

The Monster Diesel will be available at Ducati stores beginning in late July. The clothing goes on sale in mid-April at Diesel Stores, the Diesel online store and certain Ducati dealerships.

While the base Monster 1100 EVO was for $11,995, the stylized diesel edition can be grabbed for $13,795. Seriously, style comes at a price.
via

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Hero MotoCorp in Talks on Possible Ducati Acquisition.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we had informed you that Iconic Italian motorcycle maker Ducati is up for sale , possibly considering Volkswagen and BMW as potential suitors. Then a week ago, up pops Hero MotoCorp in a deal with Erik Buell Racing, showing they have intentions beyond the small displacement motorcycles they're currently known for. Now, in what has to be one of the more surprising developments in all of this, word is out that Hero MotoCorp is talking to bankers about a possible acquisition of Ducati. Wow! I guess they really are trying to expand into another market.

"We’ve been seen as a utility-bike maker, fuel-efficient bikes, and somebody who’s at the lower level of the market, who’s more small-town and rural-market focused," said Munjal. "So our ambition is to become one of the biggest global two- wheeler players and to do that, you cannot only be in one small segment"

This may be very preliminary and no one is going to be talking about it outside the boardrooms where the discussions are taking place, but what is becoming clear is many more buyers may be getting into this game than everyone initially thought.

Ducati currently sells a range of motorcycles in India including the Ducati Monster, the Ducati Hypermotard, the Ducati 848, the Ducati 1098 and the Ducati Diavel. Ducati sells over 40,000 motorcycles across the globe and has been in existence for over  86 years. Bologna headquartered Ducati has had a series of owners in the past. Meanwhile, here is official word regarding this development from Andrea Bonomi, Invest industrial’s chairman,

Ducati is now a perfect company but the further growth it requires needs the support of a world-class industrial partner. This year, we will work towards that partner. A handful of industrial groups in Asia, Europe and the US were interested in Ducati

 Let's see, a company manufacturing motorcycles in Italy, with its largest market in the USA and owned by a company in India. Would it be any different if they were owned by a company in Germany? Does any of this even matter any more? Hero MotoCorp certainly wouldn't be the first name to pop up when you think of a Ducati sale, but it does make you wonder who else may be interested in the Italian manufacturer.
via

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Bikes to be Launched in 2012 with Price

Check out the bikes to be launched in the year 2012. Few bikes have already been launched and released and to mention few, KTM Duke 200, Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS and others.

Bike	launch date	Price
KTM Duke 200	Jan 2012	Rs.1.2L
Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS	Jan 2012	Less than 1L
Hyosung GT250R	May 2012	Rs 2 - 2.5L
Ducati Diavel	Jan 2012	Rs 27,00000
Ducati Monster	Feb 2012	Rs 500,000
Hero Motocorp Maestro	Mar 2012	Rs 40,000
Piaggio Vespa Lx	Jan 2012	Rs 55,000
Royal Enfield Classic	Apr 2012	Rs 100,000
Suzuki Skydrive	Mar 2012	Rs 45,000
Tvs Rockz	Mar 2012	Rs 50,000

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DUCATI UP FOR SALE; INTERESTED SUITORS INCLUDE MAHINDRA, BMW AND VOLKSWAGEN!

Iconic Italian motorcycle maker Ducati is up for sale and its current owners are asking 1 billion pounds or USD 1.6 billion dollars for the motorcycle company, which is regarded as the Ferrari of the two wheeled world for its high performance and cutting edge motorcycle range. Interestingly, Mercedes Benz’s name does not appear anywhere in the suitor list for Ducati, even though the German automaker has a co-operative agreement with Ducati. The sale could happen over the next one year as Ducati needs cash to fund future growth and this is the reason being given by its current owners, Investindustrial Holdings.

At the current expected price of 1.6 Billion USD, Investindustrial Holdings will make thrice as much money that it originally invested in the Italian motorcycle brand.

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ONLY THE FIRST 300 DUCATI MONSTER 795 MOTORCYCLES WILL COME WITH THE INTRODUCTORY INR 5.99 LAKH PRICE TAG!

Ducati created quite a stir when it launched the Monster 795 motorcycle last month at 6.99 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, only to drop prices to INR 5.99 lakhs, within hours of the first price announcement. Ducati though, added a rider with the new dropped price tag of INR 5.99 lakhs, calling the price an introductory one and subject to change in due course of time. Change it will, once Ducati manages to find buyers for the first 300 units of the Monster 795.

So effectively, the killer price tag of INR 5.99 lakhs is only for the first 300 Monster 795 motorcycles, after which the higher price of INR 6.99 lakhs will kick in.

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Ducati Museum now a declared heritage

Ducati bikes have acquired the adoration of its technical annals and museum in Bologa conforming one of Italy's extrusive cultural heritage sites. The Ducati museums shows all the products from the company. The well-conserved biking museum blueprints the history of the bike maker. The museum provides the bare facts of the company, showing their technological documents, speed machine engines that exemplify artistic landmarks and classified details since 1946. After many adjustments in occupancy, Ducati Motors is currently controlled by the Bonomi family. The Italian sports bike manufacturing firm continuously introduces several new and extravagant motorcycles across the globe which managed to grab plethora of bike admirers around the globe. The latest offering which grabs huge attention of enthusiasts is their extraordinary 195 BHP, street fighter 1199 Panigale.

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Ducati Monster 795 Now Available for 5.99 Lakhs – Price Drop by 1 Lakh

The wait is finally over. The Ducati Monster 795 can be yours for Rs 5.99 lakh, ex-showroom. The Monster 795 was officially launched at the 2012 Auto Expo by Mirko Bordiga, Ducati Asia Pacific CEO and Ashish Chordia Ducati India CEO.

Earlier Ducati launched the Monster 795 for 6.99 Lakhs in the Delhi Auto Expo 2012 on 6th January. Many enthusiasts were disappointed by the steep price. Ducati was probably overwhelmed by the response they got and  decided to reduce the price of the bike by 1 lakh.

This Ducati which has been specifically developed for the Asian markets now becomes the most affordable Ducati in the Indian market.

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