[Fogs1966]

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Feb 13 (Reuters) - The Italian private-equity owner of Ducati is looking to sell the motorbike brand for up to 1 billion euros ($1.32 billion), three times its initial investment, the Financial Times reported on Monday.

Private equity owner looking to sell Ducati: FT | Reuters

Investindustrial, which is backed by the Bonomi family, had sounded out a Hong Kong public listing for Ducati in 2011 but a sale to a rival or large car group was more likely now, the FT said.

People close to the situation told the paper that possible buyers could include Indian motorcycle group Mahindra (MAHM.NS), as well as Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE).

"Ducati is now a perfect company but the further growth it requires needs the support of a world-class industrial partner," Investindustrial's chairman Andrea Bonomi told the paper.

"This year, we will work towards that partner."

In November, Ducati chief executive Gabriele Del Torchio said the motorbike maker had raised its share of the markets where it operates around the world to 10.7 percent, up from 8.5 percent in 2010.

A spokesman for BMW said the motorcycle manufacturer best known for its R 1200 GS Adventure enduro and the S 1000 RR supersports bike was not interested in a purchase of Ducati.

Volkswagen declined to comment. VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech, who said he drives Ducatis himself, admitted a few years ago that he regretted not having acquired the brand back then when Ducati could have been bought "for peanuts." ($1 = 0.7582 euros)

[Alex.]

One flight that I was on nearly one year ago, sitting next to me was the head of Porsche Motorsport. Anyway we got chatting and I mentioned that Porsche should acquire Ducati as a passing comment.

His reply was that they were interested as the two brands would complement each other very well. Also considering that VW owns Porsche (or has a large shareholding atleast) this could be a very interesting proposition.

[elevens]

Originally Posted by Alex.

One flight that I was on nearly one year ago, sitting next to me was the head of Porsche Motorsport. Anyway we got chatting and I mentioned that Porsche should acquire Ducati as a passing comment.

His reply was that they were interested as the two brands would complement each other very well. Also considering that VW owns Porsche (or has a large shareholding atleast) this could be a very interesting proposition.

Ducati could benefit from a good dose of German engineering to compliment that Italian style we love

[crusnik]

Originally Posted by elevens

Ducati could benefit from a good dose of German engineering to compliment that Italian style we love

Like Audi and Lambo?

[JohnnyDuc]

What a team, Porsche and Ducati. The best and the best !!

[aluthman]

I think Mercedes should buy Ducati, considering the current partnership between Ducati and AMG.

[soulvoid]

I think a conglomerate takeover could mean compromise for future products. Anyone?

[pottebaum]

I feel whoever buys Ducati will still be making Duacti's. They are not going to change it so much that nobody would want to buy it. That would be bad for business and sounds like a waste of 1.1 billions dollars. I would like a large company like Mercades to buy Duacti. We would have much more funding for motogp and the development of our bikes.

[aswad]

I guess ferrari is a good match ... not sure if they have bikes in mind

[Twisted10]

i think there are 4 threads now on this forum about this....