Ducati appoints Sergi Canovas Garriga as new India head

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has announced a management change in its subsidiary Ducati India. With Ravi Avalur moving to an international role, Ducati Motor Holding has appointed Sergi Canovas Garriga as the new managing director for Ducati India.

The Spanish-born, 44-year-old Sergi Canovas Garriga, currently Ducati India sales director, will assume the position of managing director for Ducati’s national sales company in India. He will report directly to Marco Biondi, Ducati Regional Director Asia.

After leading different positions in sales, marketing and network development in the Piaggio Group, first in Spain, then in Indonesia and lastly in Vietnam, Sergi Canovas, who has been in the automotive sector over over 12 years, joined Ducati early this year.

“I am happy to accept this new important role,” said Canovas. “I am especially looking forward to working closely together with the complete Indian dealer network and the Ducati India team, which has been unchanged since the foundation of Ducati India and therefore has important know-how. Continuity in the Indian market is very important for me.”     

Ravi Avalur, who was with Ducati India for over four years, recently spoke to Autocar Professional on the likelihood of starting CKD operations in India, introducing the Supersport, the Scrambler Desert Sled and the Scrambler Cafe racer, and how rationalisation of prices is drawing consumer demand.

Ducati India has recently added Monster 797 and Multistrada 950, both entry-level motorcycles in their categories. The company is keen on boosting its sales as it continues to expand its retail network in India. During the launch of the two models, Avalur had said, "With the Monster 797 and the Multistrada 950, we have introduced accessible product offerings, accessible in terms of affordability and cost of ownership as well as ease of riding. Both these bikes are designed to be exhilarating but not intimidating. With the Monster’s pricing of Rs 770,000 (ex-showroom, India), we feel it is quite accessible and expect it to be a significant sales driver for the brand in the country."

It is understood that the new top boss Garriga will bring more aggression to Ducati's positioning and product portfolio in India.