Full-year 2016 performance for Ducati has been revealed in the annual results statement of its German parent, Volkswagen’s Audi Group subsidiary.
BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports that revenue rose by 4.3% to £637.4m. This improvement was credited principally to sales growth of the big-ticket Diavel cruiser series. However, operating profit was 5.6% lower at £44.5m, owing to increased R&D expenses for new models. Operating margin declined from 7.8% to 7%.
During 2016, Ducati manufactured 56,978 motorcycles, 2.6% up on the previous year. Some 47,193 of these were assembled at its Bologna HQ in Italy. Ducati’s Amphur Pluakdaeng plant in Thailand made 8761 and 1024 were bolted together by Manaus-based contractor DAFRA in Brazil.
Despite the addition of two extra models to the Scrambler sub-brand in its second year on the market, production in this segment fell by 11.9% to 17,254 units. Global retail Scrambler sales were 3.3% down to 15,527 units. Overall Ducati retail sales were just 1.2% up at 55,451 units.
For 2017, Ducati forecasts reduced sales in both North America and Europe.
Â
Â
Â