Ducati to Sell Motorcycles in China
On the eve of motorcycle racing's first-ever Grand Prix in
China, Ducati announced its arrival on the Chinese market at a Ducati press
conference in Shanghai, April 28th.
Federico Minoli made the announcement to international
press, and in the presence of Ducati MotoGP Team riders, Loris Capirossi and
Carlos Checa.
Ducati will begin activities in China in three clear-cut
ways: 1) importation of motorcycles, accessories, and spare parts; 2) the
sale of Ducati apparel; 3) the development of the Ducati brand and riding
schools.
The first group of activities will begin with two new Ducati
stores, in Beijing and Shanghai, that will import Ducatis directly from
Italy. Although sale of prestigious, expensive, high-performance
motorcycles has yet to take off in China, it is a sector that offers major
potential growth.
Ducati expects to enter this important market through the
exclusive, unique, and Italian nature of its bikes, following a strategy
that has already been traced by other important Italian companies, such as
Ferrari. Secondly, in order to distribute and sell Ducati apparel in
China, Ducati has made an agreement with Three on the Bund Retail, who have
already opened a store in Shanghai, are achieving great success with the
sale of Ducati clothing, and have enabled the Italian brand to spread its
name, even before motorcycles themselves actually arrive.
The third strategic aspect, the development of the Ducati
brand, will follow the history of this Italian manufacturer through its
racing experience. Ducati is the only Italian manufacturer present in
the MotoGP. After participating in this championship and in this
first-ever Chinese Grand Prix, Ducati will organize two riding schools, on
circuits in Beijing and Shanghai, allowing Chinese fans to experience the
excitement of riding these Italian twin-cylinder machines.
"In China we are certain to start off in the right way,"
declared Federico Minoli, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding.
"We are starting with racing, because all of our activities and products are
born on the track. From here we will create riding schools, because it
is only by developing a passion for these esoteric and special bikes that
the market can then follow us."
Handel Lee, Chairman of Three on the Bund added: "The
passion that I have for this glorious marque is both a source of pride and a
stimulation to promote and develop Ducati's entry into the Chinese market. I
am honored by this partnership and I am sure that Ducati will also have a
great future in this country."
