[CrAzY dRiVeR]

KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has gone on record in an interview with German publication Speed Week, regarding his intentions to add 'the Ferrari of the motorcycle industry' as part of the KTM group -

"I have an emotional relationship with Ducati," assures the KTM CEO. "Ducati is Ducati, there's nothing to shake about that. The only brand that would fit us is Ducati. Everything else you can forget. MV Agusta is too small"

He further also went on to state that the purchase decision is not based on the price, but how the KTM group would be able to help Ducati grow further and he also re-iterates that a key part of this strategy would be to grow businesses in Asia, especially India -

Pierer: "Audi may soon have other priorities than a motorcycle plant due to the diesel affair and e-mobility. Ducati is the Ferrari of the motorcycle industry. Of course, having such a brand in our group would be interesting. It is not a question of price, but it is about the topic: When does everyone realize in which situation he is. New homologation challenges await us - for example, we have Euro 5. In 2024, the issue of noise will come up. It is also in the demographic development in Europe. Today you have to go to Asia with the motorcycle business, to India. If you are not successful there, you will eventually be gone. Ducati is not concerned with the purchase price, but with the question: 'How can I become stronger together?' Time will tell…"

Read the full article here - http://www.speedweek.com/motogp/news...ns-passen.html

It was reported earlier as well that -

1. Volkswagen is considering a sale of brand Ducati. Source

2. Harley Davidson and Either Motors both were interested but failed to acquire the brand. Source for Harley, Source for Eicher.

3. Audi had later announced that Ducati is not for sale anymore, due to opposition from labour unions. Source

4. Ducati had also expressed interest in producing smaller displacement motorcycles out of India - Source

So Bajaj - KTM - Husqvarna - Ducati anyone?

Note - Bajaj has partnerships with Triumph as well, but that seems to be independent of the KTM umbrella.

[gururajrv]

Bajaj is quick to react to acquisitions. They’re good at aiming the right company to have shares invested or acquire altogether. KTM has worked out well for Bajaj. Hope KTM manages to arrive at consensus with Ducati for completion of this speculation.

[Sebring]

Wow! Santa did visit India this time around. What wonderful news and if it's picked up by an Indian company, is sure to be its 'Tiara'. Fingers crossed for this one!

[ethanhunt123]

No. Please no. After seeing what KTM did to Husqvarna - i dread what it will do to classics like the Monster's & Multistrada's. Besides didnt Mr Pierer say sometime back that he doesnt think liter class bikes are not meant for public roads ? That might mean the end of Panigale's as well.

Dont see a single positive coming out of this move.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by ethanhunt123

Besides didnt Mr Pierer say sometime back that he doesnt think liter class bikes are not meant for public roads ? That might mean the end of Panigale's as well.

Most of their bikes develop mad performance output - like the SuperDuke. So its just a sour grapes comment IMO.

If implemented right - Ducati could really tap into KTMs engines and Bajaj's low cost manufacturing talents to create bikes lower down the price brackets.

[ethanhunt123]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Most of their bikes develop mad performance output - like the SuperDuke. So its just a sour grapes comment IMO.

If implemented right - Ducati could really tap into KTMs engines and Bajaj's low cost manufacturing talents to create bikes lower down the price brackets.

Most KTM road bikes have a direct competitor in Ducati's model range. Why would they keep both alive ?

[timuseravan]

Originally Posted by ethanhunt123

Most KTM road bikes have a direct competitor in Ducati's model range. Why would they keep both alive ?

While there is overlap, KTM seems to be going for different styles. So KTM bikes are Kiska-style futuristic, while Husqvarna are neo-retro. And maybe Ducati keeps the "normal motorcycle" styling.

But I hope no such deal goes through. Ducati can turn out to be a huge white elephant for KTM and Bajaj.