Italy’s most well-known motorcycle brand, Ducati, will expand with three new models in 2009 and another four in 2010, following on the successful introduction of the 696 Monster, the 848 sportbike, and the 1098R superbike.
Ducati presented its strategy for the next few years this week in Milan, hoping to convince investors that it has its feet firmly wedged into the door of successful motorcycle manufacturing and sales.
As recently as 2005, the company was losing money, but 2007 has looked much better, with Casey Stoner’s MotoGP championship for Ducati helping boost sales.
Harley-Davidson –
America’s best known brand – is not projecting quite so rosey a picture, with its shares hitting a year-long low this week as a U.S. recession looms and U.S. motorcycle sales are predicted to plummet.
