Royal Enfield, Hero MotoCorp may become Ducati’s new owner

Volkswagen group is reeling under the immense pressure of dieselgate scandal. The automotive giant has already paid huge fines in many markets for the cheat device used in their vehicles. Volkswagen group’s Audi has already pulled out of prestigious 24 Hour of Le Mans race. Now the company is looking to sell assets in a bid to make money.

Ducati was taken over by Audi in 2012, following which the company received a lot of criticism. The company is now searching for a new home for the Italian motorcycle brand. Now rumours have surfaced saying that Royal Enfield and Hero MotoCorp are interested in buying the brand from VW.

Apart from the Indian companies, there are a few Chinese brands who have also shown interest in the motorcycle brand. If any of the Indian brands get their hands on the Ducati brand, it will be a massive step for the Indian automotive industry. Hero already has tried their luck with the Eric Buell Racing (EBR), but the deal did not give any fruitful results. Now, Ducati may work for the Hero brand and may help the brand to fulfil their presence in the high-performance segments. Hero is currently the world leader in the sub 250cc segment, and expertise like Ducati will help the brand to establish their presence quickly in the above the 250cc segment in the market.

Royal Enfield, on the other hand, has shown interest in acquiring Ducati. Royal Enfield will gain a stronghold in the international, more developed markets and portrait Royal Enfield as a global player. Siddartha Lal, CEO and MD of Eicher Motors said to TOI  “We are today the most profitable motorcycle company in the world… We want to become a global leader in motorcycles; we want to become the No.1 in middle-weight markets around the world… Anything which de-focuses us from our idea, we will not do.”

In next few months, we will have a clear name of the next owner of the Ducati brand.