Ducati on the block! Mahindra, Hero, BMW and Audi go for the kill

Indian biggies like Mahindra and Hero MotoCorp apart from BMW and Audi have lined up to buy Ducati from its current owner Investindustrial which is looking to sell the superbike company to a more stable automobile house. Watch this space to find out who the suitor will be.

When one talks about exquisite super cars, its Ferrari which comes to the mind first. While when one talks about super bikes, its often Ducati which take top honours in people's mind.

Now Ducati has been doing quite well, increasing its sales slowly yet steadily and launching bikes specific to emerging markets, like the Ducati 795, which is being sold only in Asia and is priced at Rs 6.99 lakh (Rs 5.99 lakh for the first 100 units) in India.

Click here for Rediff RealTime news on Ducati

1. Mahindra

When the sale was declared, Mahindra was amongst the few who were keenly interested to acquire Ducati. This was not officially confirmed but later on Mahindra spokesperson denied that the company was interested in buying Ducati.

Usually companies like to keep mum when they are going for such a huge merger or acquisition. So Mahindra's thought of buying the Italian superbike maker is still under wraps.

2. Hero MotoCorp

Ducati could soon end up becoming our own desh ki dhadkan as the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer is contemplating acquiring Ducati.

The Munjals are in talks with banks for lending money to take over the Italian brand but nothing concrete has emerged out yet.

If Hero does end up acquiring Ducati, it would be a big positive for the Delhi-based two-wheeler manufacturer as it scouts for technology post its break up with Honda.

3. BMW

One of the big guns from Germany, BMW already sells its own range of superbikes and could get a significant boost with Ducati under its belly.

However the Bavarian automaker has refused its plans to buy Ducati since it already has a stable motorcycle division.

Either way, Ducati could be managed like a separate entity by BMW, who also owns MINI and Rolls-Royce.

4. Audi

The early interest takers in acquiring Ducati included Volkswagen but the company was quick to refuse any such plans. Lately Audi has been showing keen interest in acquiring the brand and give fight to its nearest rival, BMW.

Audi is owned by Volkswagen, so whether Audi picks up Ducati or Volkswagen does, it amounts to the same thing.

Audi is said to have created a special task force to speed up the process of the Ducati acquisition and is the most likely candidate to pick up the Italian superbike maker.