Ducati bought by Audi?

miloVanMultistrada

miloVanMultistrada

Webmonkey
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/S...ati--the-four-rings-expands-from-four-wheels/

The exclusivity deal gives Audi until mid April when the deal will likely be finalised, according to high-ranking sources contact by CAR.

Ducati's liabilities are said to be in the area of €800 million, and our sources suggest the total purchase price is about €850m. This is a bold move by Audi, which sees the long-term advantage in moving into two wheels as well as four.
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Thanks to 239desmo for the tip-off :)
 
Interesting news - purchase price will be significantly lower as debt will just get absorbed if it goes through - i don't know to much about Audi but don't they also own Porsche, Lamborghini, VW, Seat, Skoda - that's some potential for the future :cool:
 
Just saw my neighbour in what appears to be a new Lambo, so the whole village is getting behind the deal :D
 
deputydawg said:
Lindsay did you check out the massive collection at the show? Man, those boys knew how to do a cooling fin!

I particularly liked the strapline on the 80's brochures: "MZ - Value for money motorcycling". The ad agency knew their target market!
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One of the highlights! Very interested in the CZ Type 640 that was there too as these are available new in the UK again.
 
I've got to admit, I'm not sure how I feel about this news.

On one hand, I think we can probably look forward to better build quality and improved reliability (not that there is anything wrong there) and possibly some well considered investment - which is all good.

But, will the character of the marque remain unaltered?

Audi also owns Lamborghini and since the buy out there have apparently been many improvements, but the identity and character of the cars seems slightly diluted - they've lost the "mental" gene of the '70 and '80 cars.

....and that's what worries me.
 
I forgot his name but the Dr bloke who was (is?) in charge of VW was a bike head and was on record saying he regretted not buying Ducati when the Texas Pacific Group took over. There was an article about him in one of the bike mages once - years ago.

Not suprised VAG have bid this time round.
 
monster_998 said:
I've got to admit, I'm not sure how I feel about this news.

On one hand, I think we can probably look forward to better build quality and improved reliability (not that there is anything wrong there) and possibly some well considered investment - which is all good.

But, will the character of the marque remain unaltered?

Audi also owns Lamborghini and since the buy out there have apparently been many improvements, but the identity and character of the cars seems slightly diluted - they've lost the "mental" gene of the '70 and '80 cars.

....and that's what worries me.
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That is exactly what I was thinking, although you have put it into a better choice of words than I did
 
haha i dont feel so bad now since selling the 916, im driving about in an audi a4 just now so TECHNICALLY ...... im still sorta in the ducati family / umbrella corperation hehe :D
 
important fact is that audi/volkswagen got the money to invest in racing, new models.

i think the 'gene' thing is over since castiglioni sold the company...
 
Also, having access to a bigger R&D department and some additional expertise might help with things like keeping the aircooled engines going and meeting Euro emissions legislation...
 
tapoutduke said:
Does this mean promo pictures of Ducatis, being taken around the worlds famous landmarks? (If you've been watching Top Gear the last few weeks, you'll lnow what I mean:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:
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The new 1199

Ducati-1199-Panigale-121.jpg
 
miloVanMultistrada said:
Also, having access to a bigger R&D department and some additional expertise might help with things like keeping the aircooled engines going and meeting Euro emissions legislation...
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in case audi will buy the factory i'm curious about the handling with amg and the lots of pounds mercedes/amg blew out for this cooperation...
 
"Speaking German with a scottish accent "

will this be the new logo ?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eagle1effi/2400421880/" title="Original German Flag (public) . Deutschlandflagge, Deutschlandfahne. Die Deutschlandflagge brauchts DU zur Fussball WM, EM ( Männer und Frauen) by eagle1effi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3276/2400421880_811d5950ea_o.png" width="600" height="360" alt="Original German Flag (public) . Deutschlandflagge, Deutschlandfahne. Die Deutschlandflagge brauchts DU zur Fussball WM, EM ( Männer und Frauen)"></a>
 
molenz said:
will this be the new logo ?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eagle1effi/2400421880/" title="Original German Flag (public) . Deutschlandflagge, Deutschlandfahne. Die Deutschlandflagge brauchts DU zur Fussball WM, EM ( Männer und Frauen) by eagle1effi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3276/2400421880_811d5950ea_o.png" width="600" height="360" alt="Original German Flag (public) . Deutschlandflagge, Deutschlandfahne. Die Deutschlandflagge brauchts DU zur Fussball WM, EM ( Männer und Frauen)"></a>
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Red, Yellow and Black... where's the White? :eek::D
 
I can't see a downside to this....... if it happens.

Can you honestly say Audi have sanitised the raging bull????????? Have the Lambo nutters not just displayed a 200mph no roof, no windscreen beast of a motor at Geneva????????????


Yeah.... thats killing the passion isn't it!
 
monster_998 said:
I've got to admit, I'm not sure how I feel about this news.

On one hand, I think we can probably look forward to better build quality and improved reliability (not that there is anything wrong there) and possibly some well considered investment - which is all good.

But, will the character of the marque remain unaltered?

Audi also owns Lamborghini and since the buy out there have apparently been many improvements, but the identity and character of the cars seems slightly diluted - they've lost the "mental" gene of the '70 and '80 cars.

....and that's what worries me.
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you reckon the aventandor or however its spelt, isnt mental!!!! wouldnt want to see a boring thing in your mind then
 
PaulV said:
Can you honestly say Audi have sanitised the raging bull????????? Have the Lambo nutters not just displayed a 200mph no roof, no windscreen beast of a motor at Geneva????????????
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gordj65 said:
you reckon the aventandor or however its spelt, isnt mental!!!! wouldnt want to see a boring thing in your mind then
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The Aventador and Gallardo are certainly not boring cars, far from it, and the new Aventador J (the one with no windscreen) is a step in the right direction. But consider the impact that the Countach had back in 1974 - the styling, the engine and those doors.

Can you honestly say that the current range can match this?

EDIT: Just seen Paul's picture :eek: Yup, the mental gene is back. I'm sold.
 
Its almost impossible to compare the impact of the Countach to any other development in car design - its predecessor was the Muira - which is still a stunningly beautiful car - but in the same way that a 250 GTO is - all curves and sex appeal, timeless.

The Countach with its straight edges and Buck Rogers styling was one of the biggest styling statements of all time - a complete pig to drive as well.

I think the Aventador is a great looking car - but we have got used to bold designs now - Zonda, Veyron, Gumpert to name a few - Very hard to be really shocking in car design now as our eyes are all wide open - The Countach was a defining moment never to be equalled - But there are lots of much better cars around now then there was in 1974, thank goodness.
 
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