Audi AG is in talks to buy Ducati

[Centurion]

I'm not even sure the performance bike engines are even suitable for range extenders.

For this line of Audis cheap motorcycle engines could be a successful fit:

 

[EnI]

Cheap motorcycle engines? By Ducati? I don't think so. It's like saying VAG acquired Lambo to power Golf - with downsized Lambo engines.
Also: what was wrong with KTM's motorcycle (engine) know-how? And Audi has even collaborated with KTM on bike-car concept vehicle.


Btw, a very informative write-up: Why Audi Just Bought Ducati ... Worth of reading.

ORF (Austrian public TV) even cynically concludes VAG / Audi acquisition of Ducati - a long term Piech's desire - is actually a trophy gift for Piech's 75th birthday he celebrated two days ago: Audi übernimmt Ducati - news.ORF.at


...

To put the subject in a further perspective ... Piech's wife is being elected a member of VAG's supervisory board today, while Piech himself will again is being elected the Chairman of VAG's Supervisory Board.

Btw, Frau Ursula Piech is a kindergarten teacher by profession. But she loves fast cars ... I guess that makes her completely qualified for the job - to sit in VAG's SB & decides about VAG's strategic action. Family affairs.

But the Piech couple has full support of VAG's major sharholders: the Porsches, the State of Lower Saxony, and the Qatar Investment Authority.

 

[Centurion]

But the Piech couple has full support of VAG's major sharholders: the Porsches, the State of Lower Saxony, and the Qatar Investment Authority.

Off course they do. I will never forget my experience at Frankfurt 2009 when I was seated on the third row for the Porsche press conference. There were about 10-12 photographers standing up facing the middle of the first row awaiting...........none other than Ferdinand and Ursula. Like king and queen they arrived together with the Misses dressed fully in red with her nose high up as a kite. They sat gracefully as the horde of photographers snapped a million photographs of them for about 5 minutes as the couple were mingling SEATED DOWN while everyone else around them were standing.

They are Germany's unelected King and Queen.

Cheap motorcycle engines? By Ducati? I don't think so. It's like saying VAG acquired Lambo to power Golf - with downsized Lambo engines.

I see your point but an in-house developed motorcycle engine is cheaper and easier to maintain than a car engine especially for mobility cars that need to make financial sense in order to attract any interest. The KTM collaboration for the X-Bow likely provided Audi with a lot of know how and can now move on with Ducati and enjoy R&D exclusivity.

 

[EnI]

^

Yep. Perhaps. But as far Ducati-based engines could be suitable for sports cars (as range extenders), I can't see such engines in other more commonly EV+RE models by eg. VW, Skoda, even Audi etc. Sure Ducati has know-how, but a proper high-volume RE engine should still be developed. It's not developed yet. Ducati hasn't bothered with development of car range extenders yet. Perhaps some of the current Ducati engines (modified, of course) can be placed in eg. e-tron R8. But it's not suitable for multi-k volume car. Current Ducati engines are to special to be suitable for such a purpose.

So, yes ... there is a potential. But it's hardly instant. And could be done faster & cheaper by other ways: acquisitions of other companies, or with establishing joint-v ventures only.

I'm not sure the rationale was the primary in this action of acquiring Ducati ... more rather secondary.

Mind this action was a complete surprise ... no strategic VAG plan (accessible to shareholders) includes VAG's expansion into motorcycle field. Nor does such acquisition attribute to company's profitably - just like the MAN / Scania acquisition doesn't. It's more like Piech is playing an automotive monopoly, and the other shareholders completely trust him @ the game. No matter what he does. It's kind of a blind trust.

Btw, Winterkorn (VAG CEO) is getting a €17 million bonus for the 2011.

 

[Giannis]

I am of the opinion that Ducati's famous engines are not suitable for range extenders. Ducati's engine technology comes straight from motorsport, hence the dry sump configuration, so that the cylinders can be lubricated even when the motorcycle is in extreme angles. A major downside of dry sump engines is the volume levels, which are considerably higher compared to wet sump engines.

It's very clear that the purchase of Ducati is a vanity project.

 

[Centurion]

^

Yep. Perhaps. But as far Ducati-based engines could be suitable for sports cars (as range extenders), I can't see such engines in other more commonly EV+RE models by eg. VW, Skoda, even Audi etc. Sure Ducati has know-how, but a proper high-volume RE engine should still be developed. It's not developed yet. Ducati hasn't bothered with development of car range extenders yet. Perhaps some of the current Ducati engines (modified, of course) can be placed in eg. e-tron R8. But it's not suitable for multi-k volume car. Current Ducati engines are to special to be suitable for such a purpose.

So, yes ... there is a potential. But it's hardly instant. And could be done faster & cheaper by other ways: acquisitions of other companies, or with establishing joint-v ventures only.

I'm not sure the rationale was the primary in this action of acquiring Ducati ... more rather secondary.

Mind this action was a complete surprise ... no strategic VAG plan (accessible to shareholders) includes VAG's expansion into motorcycle field. Nor does such acquisition attribute to company's profitably - just like the MAN / Scania acquisition doesn't. It's more like Piech is playing an automotive monopoly, and the other shareholders completely trust him @ the game. No matter what he does. It's kind of a blind trust.

Btw, Winterkorn (VAG CEO) is getting a €17 million bonus for the 2011.

I guess the bottom line is to satisfy his obsession over his own success because it's fair to say that VAG don't need Ducati and it is unlikely that it will make a noticable contribution to profitability.

 

[EnI]

I suggest Volkswagen AG to change its name to Borgwagen AG ... Piech being Borg king, of course. But every might king comes mighty vacuum!

PS: shall we inspect other Piech dreams & desires? I'm sure we'll get some serious answers what's next on VAGs acquisition list. Boeing? LOL

 

[Centurion]

They should invest in battery technology. That's where there is opportunity for competitor advantage.

 

[Merc1]

I said it would happen and now here it is.....!

Since the end of 2010 a successful marketing cooperation has existed between AMG and Ducati. The company takeover by a rival car manufacturer has understandably resulted in the end of any further collaboration. The takeover of Ducati was never our aim – our focus lies clearly in developing and producing premium performance cars and we will be concentrating all our energy on this.

AMG officially disavows partnership with Ducati


Nothing like a short, direct, to the point press release like that. Priceless.



M

 

[NarutoRamen]

I must admit...I don't know how this bodes for Ducati. As a lover of their motorcycles, I will be VERY careful about buying one in the future. Unlike Lambo, Ducati hasn't been making crap bikes. I really hope that AUDI/VAG can keep their grubby hands off of the way Ducati works or many of the the hardcore ducati folks will not be buying one again.

 

[Tumbo]