Got a cool £875 million? Ducati is up for sale

Ducati To Be Sold For £875 Million?

15th August 2011

Could it really be? Reports coming out over the weekend say that Ducati may soon be up for sale.

Investindustrial, the private equity group who has owned Ducati for the last three years, is reportedly preparing the company for sale.

Ducati made £79m last year which would set the price tag of around £875m.

Reports are suggesting that Ducati wish to emulate other luxury brands like Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Bentley by expanding the range and  making more of the Chinese and Indian markets.

Whilst Ducati have been on a revival of late with the arrival of Valentino Rossi and sales outperforming the majority of Japanese rivals, it is thought expansion needs to happen now and quickly.

Ducati started in 1926 by three brothers, Adriano, Marcello and Bruno Ducati, who founded Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati in Bologna producing various radio components.

It wasn’t until 1950 that the Ducati firm offered its own motorcycle, using the Cucciolo engine from SIATA. The bike was 60cc and had a top speed of 40mph. Ducati soon dropped the Cucciolo name eventually renaming the bike 55M and 65TL.

It is thought that if Investindustrial aren’t selling they are preparing to float Ducati, which would allow enthusiasts to own some unusually evocative share certificates.

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