WILL VW's Audi Be the New Owners of Ducati ?

Disclaimer
Audi, the premium brand of German carmaker Volkswagen is in talks to buy Italian motorcycle maker Ducati, Financial Times Deutschland reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The newspaper cited one person as sayi Sng the price could be about 850 million euros ($1.1 billion), including 800 million euros debt.

The Italian private-equity owner of Ducati, Investindustrial, would not comment. Audi was not available for comment

The Financial Times reported last month Investindustrial was looking to sell the motorbike brand for up to 1 billion euros, three times its initial investment.
Via:(Reuters)

DUCATI Ownership History

Since 1926, Ducati has been owned by a number of groups and companies:

(1926–1950) Ducati Family

(1950–1967) Government IRI management

In 1953 split into Ducati Meccanica-now called Ducati Motor and Ducati Elettronica-now called Ducati Energia

(1967–1978) Government EFIM management (control over day-to-day factory operations)

(1967–1973) Headed By Giuseppe Montano

(1973–1978) Headed by Cristiano de Eccher

(1978–1985) VM Group

(1985–1996) Cagiva Group ownership

(1996–2005) Texas-Pacific Group (US-based) ownership and going public

Headed by CEO Federico Minoli, 1996-2001; returning for 2003–2007

(2005–2008) Investindustrial Holdings SpA

(since 2008) Performance Motorcycles SpA

An investment vehicle formed by Investindustrial Holdings, BS Investimenti and Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan

DUCATI's Current lineup
Ducati Hypermotard
Ducati Desmosedici RR
Ducati 1098 S Tricolore
Monster
696
796
1100 Evo
Multistrada
1200
1200 S
Diavel
Diavel, Cromo, Carbon, and AMG
Superbike
848 Evo
1199 Panigale
Hypermotard
796
1100 Evo
1100 Evo SP
Streetfighter
Streetfighter
Streetfighter

Ducati has produced the following motorcycle engine types:
Single-cylinder,
pullrod actuated, 48 cc and 65 cc (Cucciolo)
pushrod actuated, 98 and 125 cc
two-stroke, 50, 80, 90, 100, 125 cc
bevel actuated, spring valved: 98 cc, 100 cc, 125 cc, 160 cc, 175 cc, 200 cc, 239 cc, 250 cc, 350 cc, 450 cc
bevel actuated, desmodromic valved : 125 cc, 239 cc, 250 cc, 350 cc and 450 cc
belt actuated, desmodromic valved : 549/572 cc Supermono, only 65 made.
Two-cylinder,
bevel actuated, spring valved (V-twin): 750 cc, 860 cc
bevel actuated, desmo valved (V-twin): 750 cc, 860 cc, 973 cc (Mille)
bevel actuated, desmo valved (parallel twin): 125 cc,
chain actuated, spring valved (parallel twin): 350 cc, 500 cc (GTL)
chain actuated, desmo valved (parallel twin): 500 cc (500SD)
belt actuated, desmo valved (V-twin): Almost all motors since 1986.
Four-cylinder,
gear actuated, desmo valved (V4): (Desmosedici)
pushrod actuated, spring valved (V4): Prototype Apollo, only two made.