Ever since Audi-the parent company of Ducati has put up this famed Italian performance bikes manufacturer on sale, the rumors around the corners were that numerous domestic bike makers such as Bajaj, TVS, Hero MotoCorp, Royal Enfield along with Harley-Davidson, are in the race to acquire Ducati.
However, at a recent general meeting, Bajaj top honcho hinted that the company is pondering to acquire a new motorcycle brand and talks are in final stage. But they were only rumors which were spread unnecessarily in order to push the share prices of mentioned brands.
And if the Bajaj is concerned, the Pune based two wheeler manufacturer owns a 48 percent share in KTM which deals in performance focused bikes and acquiring the brand specializes in same performance genre, is senseless. On the other hand, Bajaj is intended to buy a brand belongs to lazy style riding as it is the only segment where the brand misses out in its portfolio. The Bajaj itself caters to the commuter segment, while its subsidiaries such as KTM and Husqvarna deals in performance and retro segments respectively. Therefore, the expected motorcycle brand which Bajaj is intending to buy is not Ducati. But there is no surety which particular brand it is.
So it will really be interesting to see, who will acquire the Ducati brand as Bajaj and Harley are already exited from the race.