Ducati’s performance during the first six months of 2016 has been revealed by direct parent Audi’s half-yearly report, writes our financial editor Roger Willis.
Production climbed by 16.7% to 43,114 units. Global retail sales volume was 6.6% up at 34,819 units, presumably tempered by the downturn in North America, the Italian brand’s biggest export market.
Largest retail input came from the Naked/Cruiser sector covering Monster, Streetfighter and Diavel models, which improved by 5% to 11,754 units. Scramblers were 6.7% up to 9591 units, as the range was extended by Sixty2 and Flat Track Pro debuts. Dual/Hyper, encapsulating Multistrada and Hypermotard products led by the former’s well-received new Enduro version, delivered a sharp 26.9% rise to 8802 units. But Ducati’s headline Sport/Superbike slot spoilt the party, plunging by 15.5% to 4672 Panigale variants.
Audi said revenue from bikes was £410.7m during the period, an increase of 11.5%. However, only £348.2m (14.1% up) was credited to the Ducati brand while the rest came from “other motorcycle business” — the nature of which remained opaque.
There was also some confusion over profits and margins. Initial figures were adjusted upwards, backdated for year-on-year calculations, after revaluation of assets and liabilities affecting Ducati’s original “purchase price allocation” by Audi and Volkswagen Group. The eventual bottom line was an operating profit rising by 20.7% to £59.2m. Operating margin improved from 13.2% to 14.3%.