Italian superbike maker Ducati has reported selling 53,004 motorcycles in CY2018, down 5 percent (2017: 55,871), which marks the fourth consecutive year for the company to sell over 50,000 units, despite a 2.7 percent decrease in the global market for motorcycles over 500cc.
The company said that the conditions proved to be challenging especially in the United States, which is Ducati’s number one market as it declined by nearly 9 percent. For the company the end of 2018 marked a total revenue reached of 699 million euro (Rs 5,506 crore), down by 5 percent YoY (2017: 736 million euro or Rs 5,798 crore), operating profit at 49 million euro (Rs 386 crore), lower by 4 percent YoY (2017: 51 million euro or Rs 401 crore).
The company says the operating margin of 7 percent was similar to the 2017 level. The Bologna-based company says it managed to compensate the reduction in the volume of sales, resulting from a decline in the market, thanks to the success of models with higher margins, such as the Panigale, which made it possible to maintain the operating profit at the same level as the previous year.
Claudio Domenicali, CEO, Ducati Motor Holding said: “2018 was challenging from many points of view, but we are satisfied with our financial performance throughout a difficult year. The company is generating the resources to continue funding the development of new products which is very positive for the future.”
Oliver Stein, CFO Ducati Motor Holding, added: “Financial stability is extremely important for the company in order to support the technological development programme which Ducati is currently involved in at full speed.”
At present, Ducati Motor Holding has a total of 1,591 employees, and has over 720 dealers across 90 countries.