Ducati do Brazil Update
Back in October, Ducati began its expansion into South American countries, opening its first subsidiary in Brazil – “Ducati do Brasil Indústria e Comércio de Motocicletas Ltda.”
To start the subsidiary, Ducati broke with the Izzo Group, which formerly controlled all of Ducati’s operations in Brazil, including distribution and assistance to customers.
This new venture enabled the Ducati do Brasil subsidiary to fully manage the distribution of Ducati motorcycles and other Ducati-branded products all over the national territory. The new subsidiary is based in Sau Paulo, which is led by Ricardo Susini, Managing Director of Ducati do Brasil.
Suzuini was recently joined by Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding Claudio Domenicali, and Roberto Righi, Distributor Sales Director Roberto Righi, at the launch of the new showroom in the Avenida Faria Lima of Sau Paulo.
During the launch, the group discussed its strategy regarding the development and growth plans for Brazil, which is the third market overall for medium-to-high capacity motorcycle sales.
The group also confirmed the co-operation agreement with DAFRA Ltda for CKD assembly of Ducati motorcycles in Brazil. The Manaus factory is now fully operational with both Diavel and Monster 796 models being assembled, ready for delivery to a market evolving at a fast pace.
Ducati says Brazil is a country in which Ducati is set to have an increasingly important and strategic role, consolidating the positive trend of international growth which has been a feature of this iconic motorcycle brand in recent years.
Claudio Domenicali (CEO, Ducati Motor Holding) says: “The Brazilian motorcycle market is one of the most interesting in the world, the third in size for medium-to high-capacity motorcycles.
“Nine months ago we made some promises and today we are here in Sau Paulo to confirm our commitment and share with all the Ducatisti present in Brazil our plans for development and growth in this important market. The inauguration of the show room and presentation of the first motorcycles assembled at the Manaus factory confirm our commitment to our Brazilian clients.
“Our aim is to guarantee the very best service possible in terms of sales and after-sales as well as consolidating on the strategic importance of this market for Ducati.”
The day after the Sau Paulo inauguration, the Ducati CEO traveled to Buenos Aires for the sixth Salon Internacional del Automovil.
During the event, Volkswagen Argentina S.A. presented an important trade agreement to import Ducati motorcycles into the South American country.
From September 2013, motorcycles will be distributed to Ducati dealers present in Argentina via the Volkswagen Group subsidiary, underlining the development and growth plans the Bologna-based firm also has for this region.
Speaking from Buenos Aires, Claudio Domenicali said: “As further confirmation of our interest in the South American market and our desire to make the most of its great potential, we have an agreement with Volkswagen Argentina who, from September 2013, will import Ducati motorcycles and distribute them via our network of Ducati dealers, which is set to expand in the medium term. It is an important step which also highlights the synergies and opportunities for development that has become available to our brand by becoming a part of the Audi group.”