KTM sets its sights on Ducati

About two years ago there was talk of the Audi group's intention to sell Ducati, but with an outcry from shareholders and unions, the sale, although never actually started, was nipped in the bud.

A few years later, however, there is talk of Ducati sales again, but this time it is not the Teutonic company that is throwing the stone, but KTM, through the words of its CEO, Stefan Pierer, who in an interview given to the German website Speedweek , speaks of a possible interest from the Austrian company in the Bolognese brand.

The KTM CEO's speech is quite broad and although it seems more like a plan still in the 'embryonic' stage, announced more to get Indian investors moving, in particular Bajaj which owns 47.99% of the company, it gathers some interesting ideas. KTM's intention, which will also close this year with a positive trend with 265 thousand motorbikes sold, is to expand by trying to undermine the excessive power of the Japanese manufacturers by focusing on more differentiated production. Hence the Indian giant's intention to buy Triumph, but for Stefan Pierer this would not be the right move, it would be more interesting, from his point of view, to focus on Ducati: “I have an emotional relationship with Ducati. Ducati is Ducati, there is nothing to discuss. The only brand we would like is them. MV Agusta is too small.”

For Ducati the positive aspect concerns the entry into the Asian market, a sector still lacking for the Borgo Panigale company, where it would present itself as a 'Top' brand, not having small-medium displacement motorbikes on its list which are the most popular in Asia . KTM is adapting and will soon, in collaboration with Bajaj, begin the production of 500 motorcycles. It should also be remembered that the Austrian group also includes Husaberg, Husqvarna and WP.

So is Ducati for sale? Officially no, but recently Volkswagen AG CEO Herbert Diess said that: “Either we find a way forward for Ducati, which provides growth, or we have to look for new ownership.” This therefore suggests that the idea of ​​the sale has far from disappeared and that the sale of the brand, paid 2011 million in 740, would bring a large profit into the coffers of the German giant which would help the Teutonic company to emerge from the 'crisis' of diesel-gate and would pave the way for new investments in electric mobility.

This is also the opinion of the CEO of KTM, who does not hide his 'love' for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer: “Audi could soon have other priorities due to diesel and e-mobility. Ducati is the Ferrari of the motorcycle industry. Of course, having a brand like this would be interesting. It's not a question of price, but it's about the topic and the situation you're in."

For now, as already mentioned, we are only talking about ideas, but, in general, the CEO of a large company rarely makes statements just to spread rumors. We will see in the future what Audi and KTM's moves will be.