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Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !!

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linuxyeti
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PostPosted: 07:45 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

Just when you thought RE owning Ducati would be bad, looks like you Ducati riders are going to have to get yourself some chaps Laughing Laughing

Harley-Davidson enters race to buy Italian rival Ducati: sources

U.S. motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson (HOG.N) is lining up a takeover bid for Italian rival Ducati, potentially bringing together two of the most famous names in motorcycling in a deal that could be worth up to 1.5 billion euros ($1.67 billion), sources told Reuters.

Indian motorcycle maker Bajaj Auto (BAJA.NS) and several buyout funds are also preparing bids for Ducati, which is being put up for sale by German carmaker Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE).

A deal with Harley-Davidson would bring together the maker of touring bikes like the Electra Glide that are symbolic of America with a leading European maker whose high-performance bikes have a distinguished racing heritage.

Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson has hired Goldman Sachs to work on the deal, one source familiar with the matter said, adding tentative bids were expected in July.

Volkswagen, whose Audi division controls Ducati – maker of the iconic Monster motorbike – is working with investment boutique Evercore on the sale which will help it fund a strategic overhaul following its emissions scandal.

Based in the northern Italian city of Bologna, Ducati was on the wish list of private equity funds KKR (KKR.N), Bain Capital and Permira, which are all working on the deal, said the sources who declined to be identified as the process is private.

Ducati was launched in 1926 as a maker of vacuum tubes and radio components and its Bologna factory remained open in World War Two despite being the target of several bombings.

Ducati racers have won the Superbike world championship 14 times, with Carl Fogarty and Troy Bayliss its most successful riders.

Harley-Davidson, which commands about half the U.S. big-bike market, was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the start of the last century and was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the great depression.

Demand for Harley’s motorcycles continues to be slow as its loyal baby boomer demographic ages and rivals such as the Indian brand bike maker Polaris Industries Inc (PII.N) and Japan’s Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T) offer discounts.

Volkswagen’s powerful labor unions, which control half the seats on the carmaker’s 20-strong supervisory board, repeated their opposition to selling the Italian motorcycle maker.

“Ducati is a jewel, the sale of which is not supported by the labor representatives on Volkswagen’s supervisory board,” a spokesman for VW group’s works council said in an email.

“Harley-Davidson is miles behind Ducati in technology terms,” he added.

BIDDING FIELD

Evercore has sent out information packages to a number of potential suitors including Ducati’s previous owner Investindustrial, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Investindustrial bought a stake in Ducati before the financial crisis, subsequently taking control of the business before selling it to Audi in 2012.

It is now looking to compete with heavyweight private equity firms and large industry players to regain control.

Volkswagen, Audi, Harley-Davidson, KKR and Bain Capital declined to comment. Bajaj, Investindustrial and Permira were not immediately available.

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, is seeking to move beyond an emissions-cheating scandal that has tarnished its image and left it facing billions of euros in fines and settlements.

A successful deal for Ducati, which last year reported revenues of 593 million euros, would show Volkswagen boss Matthias Mueller is serious about reversing his predecessor’s quest for size.

Volkswagen said last June it would review its portfolio of assets and brands, rekindling speculation among analysts that “non-core” businesses could be put up for sale.

Volkswagen hopes to raise between 1.4 billion and 1.5 billion euros from the sale of Ducati, valuing it at 14-15 times its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of about 100 million euros, the sources said.

The German car maker wants a valuation that reflects trading multiples of similar trophy assets in the automotive industry, such as Italian car maker Ferrari (RACE.MI) which trades at almost 30 times its forward earnings.

Yet it may need to compromise on price as some of the bidders would struggle to pay as much as 1.5 billion euros for Ducati, several sources said.

Price expectations have already proved challenging for some industry players who recently decided against bidding.

Indian motorcycle firm Hero MotoCorp (HROM.NS) and its rival TVS Motor Company (TVSM.NS) initially expressed interest in Ducati but were put off by its price tag and decided to walk away, the sources said.

German car marker BMW (BMWG.DE) and Japanese motorcycle makers Honda (7267.T) and Suzuki (7269.T) have also decided against bidding for Ducati, sources close to the companies told Reuters.

A BMW spokesman confirmed the German firm was not interested in Ducati, while Hero and TVS were not immediately available for comment.

Another source close to Volkswagen said the sale of Ducati might not be finalised before the annual EICMA motorcycle show in Milan in mid-November as Volkswagen wanted to find the right buyer and the sales process might take time.

(Source: Reuters 21 June 2017)
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arry
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PostPosted: 08:08 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the new Ducati Corsa Tricolor Murica Street Iron.

Don't want.
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 08:11 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting but some funny ideas in there.

Honda and Suzuki thinking of bidding? Not a chance. And none of the solely motorcycle manufacturers will throw that sort of money at it either.

It will be some banking conglomerate, the Chinese or Indians (Elephant type not bows and arrows type).

Harley never knew what to do with Buell, they certainly won't understand Ducati IMO.
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 08:35 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Who says?

Oh, sources.
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RhynoCZ
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PostPosted: 12:18 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Would make sense, 'mericans like Ducatis. The most of the films from the USA made in the past 15-20 years had a Ducati as the main motorcycle in it. Although, their V-twins sound like a 600cc in-line fours. Thinking
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 13:06 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

linuxyeti wrote:


Harley-Davidson enters race to buy Italian rival Ducati


In what way are Harley and Ducati any kind of rivals? Thinking
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RhynoCZ
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PostPosted: 13:26 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
linuxyeti wrote:


Harley-Davidson enters race to buy Italian rival Ducati


In what way are Harley and Ducati any kind of rivals? Thinking


Diavel? Thinking
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arry
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PostPosted: 13:30 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Specifically the xdiavel and potentially that hideous Diesel (the brand) super-hipster shit.
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 13:56 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
In what way are Harley and Ducati any kind of rivals? Thinking

Competing for a limited supply of break-down trucks.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 14:01 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

RhynoCZ wrote:


Diavel? Thinking


Except that the Diavel apparently stops, goes and handles pretty well, whilst Harley owners don't care about any such unnecessary frills. Harley owners typically don't want anything other than a Harley, especially in that Murica.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 14:07 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

Rogerborg wrote:
chickenstrip wrote:
In what way are Harley and Ducati any kind of rivals? Thinking

Competing for a limited supply of break-down trucks.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk2-9taZEvM

As for Ducati, it can't be easy to get those pesky electrons to go down such thin bits of wire exactly like you want them to Shifty
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RhynoCZ
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PostPosted: 14:09 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
RhynoCZ wrote:


Diavel? Thinking


Except that the Diavel apparently stops, goes and handles pretty well, whilst Harley owners don't care about any such unnecessary frills. Harley owners typically don't want anything other than a Harley, especially in that Murica.


Yes, but I think Hardly Davidson's plan is to just use the current H-D dealership network to push Ducati motorcycles onto the market. The very hipster Scrambler and all its current variants and the Hypermotard stuff. If American movie industry reflects what people want, then every single time there is supposed to be non-Japanese, non-American motorcycle, it's always a Ducati.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 14:16 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

RhynoCZ wrote:
every single time there is supposed to be non-Japanese, non-American motorcycle, it's always a Ducati.


Kind of reduces the choice somewhat. And if you're aiming for a non-motorcycling public, it's likely some at least will have heard of Ducati, given their racing success.
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DrSnoosnoo
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PostPosted: 14:33 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
Kind of reduces the choice somewhat. And if you're aiming for a non-motorcycling public, it's likely some at least will have heard of Ducati, given their racing success.


Yeah, I'm familiar with Doocoddy!
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Tigerlea
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PostPosted: 16:04 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rogerborg wrote:
Who says?

Oh, sources.


I first saw the news break here.


Does this mean, if they succeed, that Harley riders will now have to deign nod at Ducati riders?!
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 16:10 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

RhynoCZ wrote:
If American movie industry reflects what people want, then every single time there is supposed to be non-Japanese, non-American motorcycle, it's always a Ducati.


I would have said Triumph is a much more prominent name in the states than Ducati but in the end, in movies or TV it's who pays fpr the product placement who gets the publicity.

However you look at it the Harley riders in merica aren't going to change to any Ducati so it has to be seen as a way of bringing new customers in. I'm not sure that is going to work particularly well for either Harley or Ducati.

The question for Ducati is which would be a better owner, the Yanks or the Chinks.

The other question is do VW care who it goes to as long as they get the money. I doubt it.
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arry
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PostPosted: 16:37 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
RhynoCZ wrote:


Diavel? Thinking


Except that the Diavel apparently stops, goes and handles pretty well, whilst Harley owners don't care about any such unnecessary frills. Harley owners typically don't want anything other than a Harley, especially in that Murica.


But the other people that buy the diavel don't give a shit about that either, they just happen to come free of charge with their image-enhancer.

PS: I would love a Diavel.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 17:00 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

arry wrote:
chickenstrip wrote:

Except that the Diavel apparently stops, goes and handles pretty well, whilst Harley owners don't care about any such unnecessary frills. Harley owners typically don't want anything other than a Harley, especially in that Murica.


But the other people that buy the diavel don't give a shit about that either, they just happen to come free of charge with their image-enhancer.

PS: I would love a Diavel.


Feel the need to enhance your image, huh? Laughing

Quite fancy trying one myself Shifty
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arry
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PostPosted: 17:10 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sort of Laughing

I actually have an urge to buy one, then buy the campest leathers I can possibly find, like bright pink Penelope Pitstop style or some such, and go hustling it through the lanes to/from the local bike meets like a man possessed. Just for the lolz.
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ThatDippyTwat
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PostPosted: 17:48 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Diavel is nice.... but for that money, MV Agusta Brutale every single time.
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 19:52 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting anyway!

I think it's better for Ducati to go to a company that's got experience of marketing motorcycles, and let's face it not many market bikes and Merch as well as HD do?

As others have said it would be an easy way for HD to expand the Ducati sales network in the US, and they might sell even more of their own bikes if they entice people in with saucy Ducatis?

I can't see a private investor keeping hold of Ducati long or knowing what to do with it either?

Lol at Honda and Suzuki though. The Japanese don't work that way, and Honda already built a WSB winning V-twin all by themselves, and Suzuki made a litre V-twin engine that had the Ducati motor beat for bhp too.

Can't see the Chinqs buying Ducati either, as things are alot more shakey in their economy now, and Ducati technology isn't what the Chinese are after really. If they can't make masses of cheap small bikes, they'd rather copy Range Rover's etc. I guess this is because the Chinese market is still very aspirational and people want to show off sucess, which big bikes are not really status objects to them.
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M.C
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PostPosted: 20:31 - 27 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
Harley owners typically don't want anything other than a Harley, especially in that Murica.

Are Ducati owners any different? Smile I know they have style, and passion yada yada, but a big part of the purchase must be so you can say you ride a Ducati. I think the badge snobs will get along with each other.
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Tigerlea
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PostPosted: 12:47 - 28 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

M.C wrote:
chickenstrip wrote:
Harley owners typically don't want anything other than a Harley, especially in that Murica.

Are Ducati owners any different? Smile I know they have style, and passion yada yada, but a big part of the purchase must be so you can say you ride a Ducati. I think the badge snobs will get along with each other.


Aww. I take this personally M.C

I totally only bought the Duc over a Suz SV650 because there were no SV's available in my price range.

Gobsmacked I was able to get a Duc instead...

That being said... I did always want to 'one day' own a Duc, soooo.. I dunno. Does that make me a badge snob?? Neutral
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M.C
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PostPosted: 14:57 - 28 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

Tigerlea wrote:
Aww. I take this personally M.C

I totally only bought the Duc over a Suz SV650 because there were no SV's available in my price range.

Gobsmacked I was able to get a Duc instead...

That being said... I did always want to 'one day' own a Duc, soooo.. I dunno. Does that make me a badge snob?? Neutral

Eh? SVs are everywhere, Ducati's sell for a Ducati premium Razz Was it a Monster you got?
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Tigerlea
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PostPosted: 15:36 - 28 Jun 2017    Post subject: Re: Harley-Davidson looking to buy Ducati !! Reply with quote

M.C wrote:
Tigerlea wrote:
Aww. I take this personally M.C

I totally only bought the Duc over a Suz SV650 because there were no SV's available in my price range.

Gobsmacked I was able to get a Duc instead...

That being said... I did always want to 'one day' own a Duc, soooo.. I dunno. Does that make me a badge snob?? Neutral

Eh? SVs are everywhere, Ducati's sell for a Ducati premium Razz Was it a Monster you got?


When I was looking there were no SVs for sale – only on the street to be seen and envied!!

Indeedy it is. Loud little dragon, it is. And cost the same as the SVs I was searching for. Laughing
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