Ducati prove profitability with good 2018 numbers
Ducati might be one of the hardest hit brands in regards to sales volume in Australia, but globally, Ducati has confirmed a significant 7 per cent operating margin for calendar year 2018.
53,004 (2017: 55,871) motorcycles were delivered globally; a result which remains over the 50,000 level for the fourth consecutive year, despite a 2.7 per cent decrease in the global market for motorcycles over 500 cc. Conditions proved to be challenging in the United States as Ducati’s number one market, declining by nearly 9 per cent, while here in Australia the Bologna brand was down a hefty 23.2 per cent.
The end of 2018 revenue reached a figure of € 699 million (2017: € 736 million) and the operating profit was € 49 million (2017: € 51 million), with an operating margin of 7%, which is the same percentage registered in 2017. The Bologna-based company managed to compensate the reduction in the volume of sales, resulting from a decline in the market, thanks to the success of models with higher margins, such as the Panigale, which made it possible to maintain the operating profit at the same level as the previous year.
The financial data relating to the 2018 fiscal year for the Audi Group, for which Ducati represents the motorcycle segment, were communicated during the annual press conference held at the AUDI AG headquarters in Ingolstadt.
Claudio Domenicali, CEO Ducati Motor Holding
“2018 was challenging from many points of view, but we are satisfied with our financial performance throughout a difficult year. The company is generating the resources to continue funding the development of new products which is very positive for the future.”
Ducati Motor Holding currently has a total of 1,591 employees. The sales network of the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer includes 720 dealers in over 90 countries.
