Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rumormill: Volkswagen interested in Ducati... still]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/rumormill-volkswagen-interested-in-ducati-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/rumormill-volkswagen-interested-in-ducati-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/rumormill-volkswagen-interested-in-ducati-still/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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]

Rumormill: Volkswagen interested in Ducati... still originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ducatiducati vwDucatiVwferdinand Pichferdinand piechFerdinandPichFerdinandPiechmotorcyclePichPiechvolkswagenvolkswagen ducativolkswagen ktmvolkswagen motorcyclevolkswagen suzukiVolkswagenDucatiVolkswagenKtmVolkswagenMotorcycleVolkswagenSuzukivwvw ktmvw motorcyclevw suzukiVwKtmVwMotorcycleVwSuzukiThu, 15 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Volkswagen partnering with KTM on motorcycle?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/14/rumormill-volkswagen-partnering-with-ktm-on-motorcycle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/14/rumormill-volkswagen-partnering-with-ktm-on-motorcycle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/14/rumormill-volkswagen-partnering-with-ktm-on-motorcycle/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Shortly after the revelation that Volkswagen wished it hadn't passed up on the opportunity to purchase famed Italian bike maker Ducati, comes a word that the German automaker has plans for its own line of motorcycles. What we can say for sure is that the rumored bike isn't likely to look anything like the picture above, which nonetheless is an interesting mash-up of an Aprilia trellis frame along with bodywork from MV Agusta. At least the artist chose good stock from which to pilfer. KTM, more and more a serious manufacturer itself, is the likely source of bike-specific components and is rumored to be providing technical know-how to VW as a sort-of repayment for the help it received in designing the awesome X-Bow, which uses an Audi engine. KTM is known in the bike realm for producing excellent engines, so basing a possible VeeDub VeeTwin on existing Katoom architecture strikes us as a good idea. What also strikes us as a good idea is the reconsideration of the ill-fated GX3 three-wheeler, which was axed over fears of possible litigation. If VW were to sponsor a range of two-wheelers already, though, the GX3 would be a much safer bet for future production. Let us cross our collective fingers on this one.

[Source: Auto Express]

Rumormill: Volkswagen partnering with KTM on motorcycle? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 May 2008 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ktmmotorcyclevolkswagenvolkswagen motorcyclevolkswagen-motorcycleVolkswagenMotorcyclevwvw motorcyclevw-motorcycleVwMotorcycleWed, 14 May 2008 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[VW Chairman Piech wants to buy motorcycle manufacturer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/vw-chairman-piech-wants-to-buy-motorcycle-manufacturer/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/vw-chairman-piech-wants-to-buy-motorcycle-manufacturer/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/16/vw-chairman-piech-wants-to-buy-motorcycle-manufacturer/#commentsFiled under: ,


click on the above image to view a high-res gallery of the VW GX3

Ferdinand Peich, the Chairman of Volkswagen, wishes that the German automaker had purchased Ducati all the way back in 1985 when the iconic Italian motorcycle marque was experiencing financial troubles and was for sale. "I would still like a small, valuable motorcycle manufacturer," says the 71-year-old Peich, who rides a Ducati himself. Considering the close ties that Volkswagen has with Porsche, which helped create Harley-Davidson's sportiest models, we could imagine some amazing two-wheeled creations rolling out of Wolfsburg. In fact, there's a certain three-wheeler called the GX3 that we'd love to see back in the product pipeline ASAP.

Gallery: Volkswagen GX3 Concept


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

VW Chairman Piech wants to buy motorcycle manufacturer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ducatimotorcyclevolkswagenvolkswagen gx3volkswagen motorcyclevolkswagen-gx3volkswagen-motorcycleVolkswagenGx3VolkswagenMotorcycleWed, 16 Apr 2008 13:33:00 EST