Could VW sell Ducati? Volkswagen financial woes revive sale rumours
Volkswagen's biggest-ever restructuring has revived talk of Ducati changing hands, with advisers reportedly urging the German giant to cash in on one of its most valuable brands.
For years, Ducati has looked comfortably settled within the Volkswagen Group, but with the German automotive giant facing one of the biggest restructurings in its history, the iconic motorcycle brand is once again being mentioned as a potential asset that could be sold.
According to the Financial Times, investment bankers are encouraging Volkswagen to consider selling Ducati following the successful disposal of a majority stake in its marine engine business, Everllence.
The move comes at a turbulent time for Europe's largest carmaker. Despite raising €7.4 billion from the Everllence deal, Volkswagen is now said to be preparing to cut up to 100,000 jobs and close four factories as it battles rising competition from Chinese EV makers. Tackling the EV brands currently flooding Europe from China is reported to be taking a huge financial toll on VW, as vast amounts of money are swallowed up while it develops its next generation of electric vehicles.
Analysts believe those restructuring costs could quickly swallow the proceeds from the Everllence sale, leading to renewed speculation that further assets could be put on the market. And that brings us to Ducati.
It's not the first time the Bologna marque has found itself at the centre of takeover rumours. Back in 2017, Volkswagen explored the possibility of selling Ducati as part of a strategic review, with several potential buyers linked to the business before the idea was ultimately shelved. Those rumours arose as VW was navigating its way back from the ‘Dieselgate’ scandal. This time, however, the speculation comes against a far more challenging financial backdrop.
The Financial Times reports that advisers hope the strong price achieved for Everllence will persuade Volkswagen to revisit proposals to sell Ducati or spin off Lamborghini, allowing the company to raise further funds while focusing on its core automotive operations. That said, there is still a sizeable gap between speculation and reality.
The reports also note that several unnamed analysts still believe a Ducati sale remains unlikely, and goes on to point out that Volkswagen itself declined to comment on whether any further major assets could be sold.
Even so, Ducati remains one of the group's most valuable non-car brands. Unlike some of Volkswagen's other businesses, the Italian manufacturer continues to enjoy strong demand, healthy profitability and a premium image built around its road bikes and ongoing success in MotoGP and WorldSBK.
If Volkswagen were ever forced to raise significant capital through asset sales, Ducati would almost certainly attract interest from investors around the world.
For now, though, nothing has changed beyond renewed discussion behind the scenes. Ducati isn't officially on the market, and there's no indication that Volkswagen has decided to sell. But with the parent company under increasing financial pressure, the idea of Ducati eventually finding a new home outside the Volkswagen Group is back on the table for the first time in almost a decade.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
