Audi buys Ducati

rtz62 · 19-04-12, 09:00 AM

Audi has just bought Ducati for £704m.
Ducati carries with it a reported £164m of debt.
Is it another trinket for Audi it will it allow them to face down BMW's motorbike division???? Let's face it, Ducati 'only' makes 40,000 bikes a year so profits are likely to be tight, even if they use the approach they did with Lamborghini...

rtz62 · 19-04-12, 12:22 PM

No comments peeps? Thought the diversification and dilution of the Audi brand might have prompted a few comments, even from the anti-bike brigade.
SWMBO was amazed; she used to be a bike instructor on Yamaha R6 and a Ducati; she always said that a v-twin wasn't for her due to the strong engine braking if you shut the throttle quickly (5'1" and 7 n a bit stone weren't at all helpful in stopping it standing almost vertical on its back wheel apparently)
Still, she's a sight for sore eyes in her custom leathers....😜

LunarWolf · 19-04-12, 12:42 PM

Already been done mate.
http://www.classic-audi.co.uk/forum/...ghlight=ducati

SorenR · 19-04-12, 12:44 PM

Look at the history... DKW was The largest motorcycle manufactorer during late 1920 and 1930... A title that NSU took over in 1955. NSU made the first motorcycle to break the 200 mph barrier in 1956...

As we all know, 1932 DKW acquired the majority of shares in Audiwerke AG and in 1932 Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer merged to form Auto Union AG. Auto Union came under Daimler-Benz ownership in 1957, and was then purchased by the Volkswagen Group in 1964. In 1969 Auto Union AG merged with NSU Motorwerke AG, a merger that was instituted by Wolkswagen sortly after their acquisition of NSU Motorwerke AG.

So in fact "Audi", in theory, have been producing motorcycles successfully since 1900 opposed to BMW, who did not start their motorcycle fabrication until 1923...

Trivia.. The design drawings for the DKW RT125 motorcycle was passed on to Harley Davidsen to become the "Hummer" and to BSA to become the "Bantam"

John. · 19-04-12, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtz62

....��

Damn, I thought that wee square was a clicky thing

rtz62 · 19-04-12, 01:34 PM

Wee square? Does it accompany a funny handshake?

The previous item about Ducati was the speculation, it's now been confirmed and ratified I believe; sky news and pissed on heads covered it today.

Be interesting to see where Audi takes the brand.

Hanuman · 19-04-12, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtz62

Still, she's a sight for sore eyes in her custom leathers....😜

photos!

They like photos, apparently

rtz62 · 19-04-12, 03:02 PM

The only ones (hem hem) I have are a bit..... risque, leathers open down to below the navel, nowt underneath with a hand disappearing down inside said leathers. Iirc Fogarty is in the background, just before he asked if she'd like a ride in his chopper...

rich.r · 19-04-12, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtz62

The only ones (hem hem) I have are a bit..... risque, leathers open down to below the navel, nowt underneath with a hand disappearing down inside said leathers. Iirc Fogarty is in the background, just before he asked if she'd like a ride in his chopper...

i can live with risque

come on post the pics up with or without forgarty

ChrisG · 19-04-12, 03:34 PM

post the pictures and we'll advise if they are too risque.........
I read that a couple of top Audi directors are into their Ducati bikes...... and there is the BMW aspect !

19-04-12, 12:22 PM	#2
rtz62 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,527	No comments peeps? Thought the diversification and dilution of the Audi brand might have prompted a few comments, even from the anti-bike brigade. SWMBO was amazed; she used to be a bike instructor on Yamaha R6 and a Ducati; she always said that a v-twin wasn't for her due to the strong engine braking if you shut the throttle quickly (5'1" and 7 n a bit stone weren't at all helpful in stopping it standing almost vertical on its back wheel apparently) Still, she's a sight for sore eyes in her custom leathers....😜

19-04-12, 12:42 PM	#3
LunarWolf Grown up member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ruislip, West London Posts: 107	Already been done mate. http://www.classic-audi.co.uk/forum/...ghlight=ducati

19-04-12, 12:44 PM	#4
SorenR Grown up member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Vesterlyng/Föllenslev, Denmark Posts: 563	Look at the history... DKW was The largest motorcycle manufactorer during late 1920 and 1930... A title that NSU took over in 1955. NSU made the first motorcycle to break the 200 mph barrier in 1956... As we all know, 1932 DKW acquired the majority of shares in Audiwerke AG and in 1932 Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer merged to form Auto Union AG. Auto Union came under Daimler-Benz ownership in 1957, and was then purchased by the Volkswagen Group in 1964. In 1969 Auto Union AG merged with NSU Motorwerke AG, a merger that was instituted by Wolkswagen sortly after their acquisition of NSU Motorwerke AG. So in fact "Audi", in theory, have been producing motorcycles successfully since 1900 opposed to BMW, who did not start their motorcycle fabrication until 1923... Trivia.. The design drawings for the DKW RT125 motorcycle was passed on to Harley Davidsen to become the "Hummer" and to BSA to become the "Bantam"

19-04-12, 01:34 PM	#6
rtz62 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,527	Wee square? Does it accompany a funny handshake? The previous item about Ducati was the speculation, it's now been confirmed and ratified I believe; sky news and pissed on heads covered it today. Be interesting to see where Audi takes the brand.

19-04-12, 03:02 PM	#8
rtz62 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,527	The only ones (hem hem) I have are a bit..... risque, leathers open down to below the navel, nowt underneath with a hand disappearing down inside said leathers. Iirc Fogarty is in the background, just before he asked if she'd like a ride in his chopper...

19-04-12, 03:34 PM	#10
ChrisG Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bracknell, Berks. Posts: 1,465	post the pictures and we'll advise if they are too risque......... I read that a couple of top Audi directors are into their Ducati bikes...... and there is the BMW aspect !