Everyone seems to want Ducati ever since the Volkswagen Group said it may be up for sale. Now KTM CEO Stefan Pierer says he’s interested.
In an interview with German publication Speedweek, Pierer recorded his interest to add the Italian marque to his collection. He even went as far as naming a few ideas on how Ducati could fit into KTM’s strategy.
The conversation started from his desire to turn KTM into the world’s third largest large capacity motorcycle manufacturer behind Honda and Yamaha.
Bold words in this soft global motorcycle market, but they were with substance. KTM is one of the very few brands to record sustained growth. Husqvarna, now owned by the Austrian manufacturer is also seeing a resurgence under Pierer.
How does it bode for Ducati, then? For one, the Italian brand will be at home with a brand owner who knows motorcycles instead of milking it as a financial instrument.
Instead, Pierer said that he saw that it’s the automotive industry which pioneered the “platform strategy” (building different models based on one engine or frame). “Today, engines and chassis are built partly identical for both KTM and Husqvarna, but in the house we are not working against each other,” he added. It makes sense since offering two brands increases customer frequency.
Yet, how should we imagine Ducati will fit in as a platform to KTM? Desmo LC8 engines? 75oV-Twins in Ducatis? These individual traditions and identities will not mix like orange juice and blood. We’re not even talking about the two brands’ racing effort yet. On second thought, however, Ducati may well benefit KTM in finding the magic equation in MotoGP, after all.
Still, it’d be interesting to see IF Pierer successfully adds Ducati to their stable.
Source: Asphalt & Rubber
Secret KTM Moto2 built in partnership with WP revealed, shows brand’s larger plan in GP racing. (more…)
KTM-owned Husqvarna brand also records stellar year in 2015 after selling more than 20,000 bikes worldwide. (more…)
The troubled Husqvarna brand’s story has developed further as owners Pierer Industries AG announced the formation of Husqvarna Sportmotorcycle GmbH. The reorganised Husqvarna brand will now be based in Austria and would begin production utilising building technologies developed by Husaberg. (more…)
