Audi Announces Acquisition of Ducati

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

German carmaker Audi AG announced this afternoon that it is acquiring Ducati. In announcing the deal, Audi chairman of the board of management Rupert Stadler said, “Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles. It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction, and is one of the world’s most profitable motorcycle manufacturers. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi.” The deal is contingent upon the approval of anti-trust authorities. A purchase price was not revealed but prior published reports suggested a range of $1.1 to $1.2 billion.