ALL CHANGE AT DUCATI

Bologna/Ingolstadt, April 18, 2013 – Claudio Domenicali, currently General Manager and Member of the Board of Directors at Ducati Motor Holding, has been named as the successor to CEO Gabriele Del Torchio, who will leave the company to take up new professional challenges.

Claudio Domenicali - new CEO at Ducati

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ducati Motor Holding, praised the successful work of Gabriele Del Torchio, who has spent six years at the top of the premium brand: “Del Torchio guided Ducati out of an economically difficult phase, back to a successful growth path and to the top of the worldwide segment of premium performance motorcycles. For that achievement, we express our gratitude on behalf of all Audi and Ducati employees and wish him all the best in his future tasks.”

“I look back on six intensive, exciting and successful years,” commented Gabriele Del Torchio in response to Rupert Stadler’s best wishes in his farewell speech to the company. “It was an intense experience which will remain an unforgettable memory. I leave Ducati in the knowledge that I have helped to place the company on a path of growth and strength.”

The new Ducati CEO, Claudio Domenicali, joined Ducati as a project leader in 1991. He had previously studied mechanical engineering at Università degli Studi di Bologna. After passing through various management positions, he was promoted to Managing Director of Ducati Corse in 1999. In 2005, he took over as R&D Director and in 2009 was appointed General Manager Operations and Product Development. In 2012, he was confirmed as a member of the newly formed Board of Directors after the sale of Ducati Motor Holding to AUDI AG.

“Domenicali knows Ducati and the motorcycle business more than anyone. He embodies continuity and Ducati’s values in an exceptional manner,” stated Audi CEO Stadler.

Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A – An Audi Group Company

Founded in 1926, Ducati has been producing sport-inspired motorcycles since 1946. Their motorcycles are characterised by “Desmodromic” performance engines, innovative design and avant-garde technology. Covering several market segments, Ducati's range of motorcycles are divided into model families which include: Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Streetfighter and Superbike.

These authentic icons of “made in Italy” are sold in over 80 countries around the world, with concentration on the European, North-American and Asia Pacific markets. Ducati competes in both the World Superbike Championship and, with an official team, the World MotoGP Championship. In Superbike Ducati has won 17 Manufacturers' titles and 14 Riders' titles and in 2011 passed the historic milestone of 300 race victories. Ducati have participated in MotoGP since 2003, and took both the Manufacturers' and Riders' titles in 2007.

In the motorcycle / related trades? Why not sign up for FREE motorcycle industry news at www.britishdealernews.co.uk