Ducati sees flat sales in CY2013

Italian sportbike manufacturer Ducati has posted flat sales in CY2013. It sold a total of 44,287 motorcycles during the year, up 0.42 percent over the 44,102 units sold in CY2012.

Around 51 percent of sales were recorded in Europe, 24 percent in North America and the remaining 25 percent in Asia and South America.

“We are very proud and satisfied with our results in 2013,” commented Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati. “Despite market uncertainties, especially in Southern Europe, Ducati has achieved positive results, confirming the strength of our products and the appreciation of our brand. For the second year running we have achieved record results, selling over 44,000 motorcycles, helped also by the introduction of new models such as the Hypermotard and 899 Panigale.

“Results for 2013 also confirm positive sales trends in emerging markets such as Asia, which grew by 26 percent compared to 2012 with 5,200 motorcycles sold, and Brazil, where Ducati only started sales activities in the second half of 2013 and already delivered 700 motorcycles in that period of time. The United States, accounting for 24 percent of sales, continues to be our largest market followed by Italy with 11.3 percent and Germany with 10.7 percent. Continuous development of the product range and the success in new markets makes us confident that 2014 will see further growth for our company.

“These results allow us to continue our commitment to new product development plans and, in line with our main shareholder – the Audi Group – continuous technological and design innovation remains the cornerstone of our industrial strategy.”

For 2014, Ducati has rolled out the new Monster 1200 and the 1199 Superleggera (a limited edition of just 500 units which was already 90 percent sold-out before its official presentation at the Milan show).

Ducati, which has a sales network of 817 dealers across 88 countries, has also increased its workforce by 83 to a total of 1,281 employees.

In December last year, Ducati officially announced its re-entry into the Indian market. The company, which was among the first of the foreign superbike manufacturers to enter the Indian two-wheeler market in 2008, ended its relationship with its former importer. Commenting on the decision to ride into India, Cristiano Silei, vice-president (sales and marketing), Ducati, said: “We consider India an extremely important part of Ducati’s future global strategy and will strengthen our presence in the market with premium services and a larger network that will be in line with our global standards. Our entry into the Indian market is, therefore, a first step in this direction.”