After weeks of rumor, VW announced moments ago that it has agreed to purchase Ducati for something in the neighborhood of $1.12 billion through its Audi brand. But why does a gigantic auto conglomerate want a tiny bike manufacturer? What will VW do with Ducati? And, what does the deal mean for that most evocative of bike brands?  … More
Archive for the ‘Roadracing’ Category
April 19–One of the world’s largest motorcycle companies, Hero MotoCorp., of India, is closer to introducing a bike with some help from one of the smallest motorcycle companies, Erik Buell Racing of East Troy.
Indian press reports say Hero is set to introduce its first indigenously developed high-end motorcycle in 2014 to compete with Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. The company has inked a technology agreement with Buell for engineering support and also has sponsored Buell’s U.S. racing team … More
It is ironic that the high point of the relationship between Valentino Rossi and Ducati came as he rode the first few meters out of pit lane and on to the track at the Valencia MotoGP test in November 2010. All of the excitement that had been building since the first rumors emerged in early June that the nine time world champion would be leaving Yamaha to join the iconic Italian manufacturer culminated as Rossi emerged from a crowd of photographers and powered down pit lane, watched by a large group of fans who had come to the test to see this very moment.
From that point on, it was all downhill. Within a few laps, it was clear that Rossi would struggle with this bike, and though everyone was putting a brave face on   … More
Volkswagen AG (VOW)’s Audi is poised to purchase Italian motorcycle maker Ducati Motor Holding SpA from owner Investindustrial SpA for about 860 million euros ($1.1 billion) including debt, a person familiar with the matter said.
Audi has reached an agreement with Investindustrial to buy the Bologna, Italy-based maker of luxury motorbikes, with VW’s supervisory board set to approve the deal tomorrow, said the person, who declined to be identified  … More