Ducati
Audi AG reported that its Ducati subsidiary saw unit production decline by -30.5% for the first half of 2020 (24,157 units, down from 34,759 for the first half of 2019) - not the complete 'wipe-out' many had expected. Audi estimates that the global 500 cc+ market was down by -14.7% in the first half year.
Fabio Taglioni - Ducati Technical Director for 30 years
In production terms, Ducati made 4,706 Scramblers, 8,731 Diavel, Monster and Streetfighter models, 5,321 Hypermotards and Multistradas, and 5,399 Supersport and Panigale models. Of those, 19,620 were produced at the Ducati headquarters at Bologna (30,159 in the first half of 2019), 4,011 at its Amphur Pluakdaeng site in Thailand and a further 526 on a contract manufacturing basis at Manaus, Brazil. Deliveries to customers totalled 24,032 units in total (31,722 in the first half of 2019).
As Audi's "motorcycle segment", Ducati is reported as having made a
€ 7m operating "result" in the first half of 2020, down from € 44m, representing an operating return on sales of 10.2%, with total motorcycle sales revenue reported at € 331m (down from € 435m for the first half of 2019).
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| URBAN-E |
Meanwhile, more details have been released about Ducati's electric mobility products deal with MT Distribution - in the shape of a new line of folding e-bikes with pedal assistance. Three new Ducati and Ducati Scrambler branded models have been developed by the Centro Stile Ducati in collaboration with Italdesign (on the Urban-E version).
The extension to the deal follows the success both parties have already had with the electric scooters introduced earlier this year. There are three models of "folders", Urban-E, under the Ducati brand, and SCR-E and SCR-E Sport, "dedicated to the Ducati Scrambler world".
"As for the scooters, considerable attention has been paid to design in the development of the e-bikes, for which the Centro Stile Ducati was responsible. For the Urban-E model, Ducati designers collaborated with Italdesign to propose a unique model of its kind, with customised components characterised by an original and distinctive style.
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| Ducati says the "sporty character and extreme DNA" of the Streetfighter V4 has become "even sportier with Ducati Performance accessories" such as a complete titanium exhaust system, set of carbon wings, magnesium rims, a dry clutch kit, adjustable rider footpegs and a range of covers and detailing accessories. |
In additional Ducati news, the company has extended the warranty on all Ducati by Arai helmets to five years and marked the centenary of the birth of legendary engineer Fabio Taglioni - 'Father' of the desmodromic system and designer of numerous revolutionary motorcycles while with Ducati from 1954 (when he joined as Technical Director) to 1984.
