Joined Mar 2016
2K Posts | 2K+
FNQ
Agm have links qith m.v augusta in Australia. As far as showing the M.Vs in showrooms.
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
I'm a little dyslexic.
I think "hopeful to consolidate" refers to the fact that these large groups have that kind of power to negotiate with the authorities.
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Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
I was dyslexic also in writing AGM instead of AMG...
Yes, AMG have 25% of MV shares, but the Castiglioni brothers said recently they'll buy it back. AMG have also been close to Ducati before Audi bought it.
Anyway I hope Audi doesn't sell Ducati, but if they do it's better that an automotive group buys it. Audi may not want to sell to such a close competitor as AMG, but it would be nice. Fiat/Chrysler already have the Piaggio group with Aprilia, so they may not be interested in Ducati.
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Joined Oct 2012
3K Posts | 725+
Crab Key
J4,
just give it up. There was no way VW bought Ducati for emissions.
1) Scope 2. Clause 1. M1 Vehicles. Not L. L, I repeat, it bikes.
2) Lamborghini don't sell more than 10000 cars in the EU. They get a derogation as they are a a stand alone company regards to this reg.
3) Even if they did sell more than 10000 (they wish) then penalty, sorry, "premium" would only slightly graze their profit. VW would probably pay it anyway. They have until 2019 until it might hurt; something like 100 euro per gram per car.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
A lot of people can afford it. In the world of mega Corp , Ducati is just another small business to be moved around like a pawn on the board.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
Yes agreed. Would be interesting though if they decided to try and make a play for Ducati if they come up for sale. Depends on what the shareholders would want. There's been a bit of complaining that Harley needs to diversify their product line, but then I hear their sales are doing quite well, in particular among the younger generation contrary to the belief that it's an "old man" motorcycle. I've felt Harley lacks in the sport bike department, and while the V-Rod (and the Sportster Roadster) was an attempt to rectify that, it's still not the answer. I'd rather see them make a play for Ducati because that'd give them access to existing technology that might make it easier to add a true sport bike line.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
Bloomberg is reporting the US settlement for the emissions scandal is going to be about $15 billion.
Volkswagen to Face $15 Billion Tab in U.S. Settlement - Bloomberg
European governments are pushing VW for similar settlement terms there as they have agreed to for the US.
I'm thinking at this point it's only going to be a matter of how quickly Ducati gets sold.
Volkswagen to Face $15 Billion Tab in U.S. Settlement - Bloomberg
European governments are pushing VW for similar settlement terms there as they have agreed to for the US.
I'm thinking at this point it's only going to be a matter of how quickly Ducati gets sold.
Joined Aug 2013
902 Posts | 509+
USA
Harley does not need a sport bike... they couldnt sell the Buells when they had them.... and I would not be surprised if Harley generate more revenue from tshirt sales alone then ducati generates in motorcycle sales. (I am one of those who bought a $50 Harley tshirt at Sturgis last year, probably cost less then $1 to make. lol)
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
I disagree about the sport bike.
The Buell's were hideous. A buddy of mine had one. They had the 1200 Evo engine in it...thing ran hotter than ....... hell. He finally dumped it for a Ducati actually.
The Harley merchandise scam is legendary. I do have some t-shirts and what have you that I picked up off the dealer's clearance rack...which brings it to normal pricing.
Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
I agree with the "need" part, but when has anything with motorcycles been considered a need?
Would be interesting, not sure it is a solid fit, but would be interesting.. The question would be would the HD marketing machine improve sales in the US. I don't think so.
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Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
I disagree about the sport bike.
The Buell's were hideous. A buddy of mine had one. They had the 1200 Evo engine in it...thing ran hotter than ....... hell. He finally dumped it for a Ducati actually.
The Harley merchandise scam is legendary. I do have some t-shirts and what have you that I picked up off the dealer's clearance rack...which brings it to normal pricing.
I rode a couple of the Buell's that a couple buddies had. Fun as hell for the first 30 minutes... The little 1125r was quick and great to play on. The Ulysses were pretty weak sport tour bikes, for the heat issue mentioned above and the nasty seat.
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Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
Joined Oct 2015
2K Posts | 827+
Texas
They're doing well. A big reason for the increased sales is probably because they introduced 3 more affordable models.
Ducati North America Achieves Record Sales in 2015
Byron Wilson | February 2, 2016
Ducati North America is reporting a record-breaking sales year in 2015, with 12,132 motorcycles sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico. That’s a 14.1% improvement compared to the previous year. It’s also the sixth straight year of sales growth for the brand in this region.
“Our success in North America is the result of the hard work of the entire Ducati organization and our network of dedicated dealers,” Dominique Cheraki, outgoing CEO of Ducati North America in a company press release. “I am proud of what we have collectively achieved during the past five years of my tenure and I’m enthusiastic of what the future holds for the brand.”
Breaking down the region further, growth was up 9.7% in the US with 9674 units sold, up 12% in Canada with 1458 units sold and up 85% in Mexico with 1003 units sold.
The sales boost was spurred by three models in particular – the Scrambler, 899 Panigale and Monster 821.
Ducati expects the trend to continue in 2016 thanks to the introduction of the two new motorcycles, the XDiavel and Multistrada 1200 Enduro.
“It’s a tremendous honor and responsibility to lead Ducati North America into the next chapter,” said Jason Chinnock, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer. “We have a clear objective to continue the growth of our brand in a manner that delivers a premium experience to our owners and profitable business for our dealer partners. I am confident that we have a strong internal management team. This, coupled with an outstanding dealer network and a tremendous product offering, will give us the ability to fully capitalize on the opportunity in this market.”
Joined Aug 2013
902 Posts | 509+
USA
As a motorcycle dealer (I deal with mostly Italian machines) I can honestly say that Harley marketing has the best branding model and the sell the lifestyle better then anyone. When you walk into a harley dealership, you are greeted by several sexy sales girls with cold beer surrounded by all kinds of swag with the harley logo on it (the actual new motorcycles are somewhere behind all that!).
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
The dealership has become the center of the Harley lifestyle. Guys make trips to the Harley dealer like Muslims make pilgrimages to Mecca.
Unless I need parts I have little use for the dealership otherwise. But they are masters of creating an emotional investment into the dealership by their customer base. All sorts of charity rides, BBQ's, music concerts, and so on go on at my local dealer as they do at many dealers. I've never been to any of these things, but when I ride by if they have something going on, the turnout is astounding.
To think once upon a time if anyone saw you riding a Harley, you were instantly labeled as trouble, and you might be run out of town by the local law enforcement while being told in no uncertain terms to not come back ever. Now? The complete opposite exists.
Joined Jan 2011
3K Posts | 152+
The North!
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
tractors have no place on a racetrack!!!
Comeon!! Be nice ...... tractors are useful.
