Rumormill: Volkswagen interested in Ducati... still
Ducati 1098R - Click above for high-res image gallery
Rumors of a possible motorcycle brand for Volkswagen aren't anything new. It's a well-known fact that Ferdinand Piëch, Chairman of Volkswagen's Board, wishes that the German automaker had purchased Ducati back in 1985 when the Italian bike manufacturer was in dire financial shape.
As recently as last year, Piëch – himself a Ducati rider even at age 72 – commented that Volkswagen could still purchase an unnamed motorcycle manufacturer if the conditions were right. Strike up the rumormill again, boys and girls. The Italian motoring press is reportedly signaling that Volkswagen is making renewed overtures toward Ducati, which, like pretty much all other motorcycle manufacturers these days, is seeing sales and profits take a dive due to the sorry state of the global economy.
Just a few weeks back at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Piëch indicated that the Volkswagen Group was looking to expand, and some took that to mean it would procure a sizable stake in Suziki, another long-rumored target of the German automaker. KTM, maker of the bonkers X-Bow roadster, has also been bandied about as a potential partner. So, is there any truth to the two-wheeled VW rumors? We'll see how it all pans out soon enough, but we're not exactly holding our breath.
Gallery: Ducati 1098 R
[Source: Clutch and Chrome]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FamilyGuy 9:03AM (10/15/2009)
I hope VW does not buy Ducati, not even a percentage of them.
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CB 9:22AM (10/15/2009)
I wish I could buy a Ducati. More so than a Volkswagen.
Arkz 9:25AM (10/15/2009)
I don't know, it could be fun to see a Volkswagen bike. Besides, with VW's backing, Ducati might be able to bring the production costs down a bit, or better yet, expand their dealer network.
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DJ 9:29AM (10/15/2009)
Within the past hour, Harley-Davidson announced it is selling it's interest in MV Agusta. Maybe VW will pick that up along with Ducatti to create a single megabike company in Europe.
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hashiryu 9:57AM (10/15/2009)
God no. I hope VW stay far far far away from Ducatti, and more so MV as possible.
As an aside, seriously, they need to put down the chequebook... at this rate, they will become "the next GM" faster than Toyota.......
Alex 1:31PM (10/16/2009)
I'm okay with VW picking up MV because if they don't, it's unlikely that MV will survive. That would be an even greater loss.
MigNap 9:39AM (10/15/2009)
Would be ultra nice to see a VW bike! but.... Mr. Piech leave Ducati where it is.... thanks!!! a Brand like Ducati beside performance is aboutheritage. Ducati should remain italian, like Ferrari.... this is an axiom! so Mr. Marchionne do something hehe go buy Italian instead of buying.... you know.
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Sanders 10:24AM (10/15/2009)
Exactly. Another Italian icon going into the hands of VW? No thanks. Keep the soul. Keep it in Italian hands. Serg, are you listening?
Bill 3:23PM (10/15/2009)
Yep, Ducati should stay Italian. Just like they were when they were owned by Texas Pacific Group.
HotRodzNKustoms 10:10AM (10/15/2009)
Build the GX3 otherwise No Ducati for you!
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Flea 10:20AM (10/15/2009)
no, no, no. Ducati is a small volume, high performance brand, like Ferrari.
They should go for Guzzi, which makes great bikes, but doesn't really have the money to expand.
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MikeInNC 10:23AM (10/15/2009)
No one should touch Ducati or MVG. Two distinctly Italian makes and they should stay that way.
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BoxerFanatic 11:57AM (10/15/2009)
Unless they fold.
Cagiva/MV needed the cash before HD bought them.
Ducati is doing well, but the downturn is hurting everyone.
Moto-Guzzi is probably surviving quite conservatively, by looking at their product line, and keeping their drivetrain systems simple and traditional.
But that is not to say that any of them won't fail if motorcycle sales continue to fall off. Triumph, Aprilia, and KTM also are small euro bike manufacturers.
I hope all of them survive and thrive. IF VW gets their claws on any of them, I hope they treat them well, as they have with Lamborghini, and don't committee-think them to death.
IOMTT 10:36AM (10/15/2009)
They can't do that! They would have to make the Veyron quicker to stay the "halo" performance vehicle in the VW group. 1188R and Desmosedieci would be the quickest vehicles in the group :)
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Throwback 10:53AM (10/15/2009)
VW seems to think you can never have enough brands. At least with Ducati they are getting a great brand.
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zamafir 11:04AM (10/15/2009)
... didn't they get a great brand with bentley and lamborghini?
All these comments are getting entertaining. oh noez, they've always been Italian, they should never be owned by anyone else. Come on guys, it's 2009, if a company is teetering, it'll be bought up, and as we've seen with Bentley and Lamborghini, made stronger. last I checked, Ducati's doing alright, so I doubt VW would be able to snag them. If you like your nostalgia, put your check book where your heart is, it’s that simple.
Scott 11:40AM (10/15/2009)
Im not sure why there is all this animosity toward the idea of VW buying ducati. Being an avid rider and having owned and enjoyed everything from buell firebolt, R1’s a 998 and now a 1098s.
I cant think of any reason ducati would not benefit from something like this. Lower manufacturing costs and endless recourses for R&D to continue one of the greatest racing programs in motor sports.
Really It could bring the reliability up to the standards of the big four (though the new bikes are much better) and I do my own valve adjustments.
Clippy 11:48AM (10/15/2009)
If VW is looking for another crappy brand to bolster their ranks, they should just go and buy off Ssangyong. Just leave Ducati alone please.
Luso 11:05AM (10/15/2009)
That will easily bring the average emissions down for the VW range.
http://www.carnorama.com
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nagmashot 11:11AM (10/15/2009)
there is a historic background that Volkswagen wants to buy a bike company...
DKW (one of the companys that formed Auto Union > Audi) was from 1928 for many years the worlds largest motorbike producer
never heard someone claiming that Lamborghini lost it´s soul since VW turned that italian bankrup theater into a seriour brand producing awsome cars in numbers and earing money...
There is a huge different between GM and VW... everything GM touched went down...
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