‘We’re very confident of our growth plans in India’
Bike India spoke to Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, during the biennial World Ducati Week held in Italy as the renowned marque also celebrated its 90th anniversary
BikeIndia(BI): Having arrived as an independent entity in India, have Ducati seen promising results thus far?
Claudio Domenicali (CD): We’ve had a very positive response from the market. In just over a year we have five world-class dealerships and healthy sales across our model range. The Indian market does have an inclination towards the cruiser and sport segments but the classic and adventure touring segments are growing and becoming more popular as well. We’re very confident of our growth plans in India with two new dealerships pegged to open this year.
BI: Are the numbers promising enough to warrant an assembly operation here?
CD: The numbers definitely are promising but local assembly is not part of our immediate plans. Our plant in Thailand is equipped to serve all the ASEAN countries as well as China and India; so we don’t need to add any more production or assembly sites. The operations in Thailand allow us a pricing policy that benefits us from duty exemptions and lets us offer great value to our customers. Our focus is on the development of excellent dealerships and providing the same genuine experience of Authentic Italian Performance in India as well.
BI: The new XDiavel is a departure from what we’ve seen thus far. Are there any more cruisers or other departures from Ducati convention on the anvil? CD: With the new XDiavel, Ducati have entered a new segment where we have not been present before — the cruiser domain — and it has proved very successful. Product development and model range expansion will continue at a high pace in 2017. We will reveal all the news in autumn this year.
BI: How feasible is the Scrambler Sixty2 for India? Can there be a reasonable gap between the 400 and the 800?
CD: We don’t have any plans to get the Scrambler Sixty2 [to India]. The Scrambler 800 already has great demand in the market and is attracting the customers we are looking for. It was the most awarded premium bike in India last year as well. The Scrambler Sixty2 has been specifically launched in countries where it fits the motorcyclists’ needs with respect to licence-displacement rules in their countries.
BI: Will we see the 400-cc L-twin from the Scrambler Sixty-2 in other models? Maybe, a Monster 400? Is there a likelihood of a premium compact supersport motorcycle like a 399 Panigale, perhaps? CD: The new model range for 2017 will be presented in autumn this year. An outlook on the new model range has been given, as an exclusive preview, during the World Ducati Week 2016: the new Ducati SuperSport. Visitors to the WDW had the chance to see it in a dedicated ‘closed room’: it is a new bike that enters a new market segment which is currently missing in the Ducati range.
It is a sporty road bike, accessible also to newcomers to the Ducati world thanks to its easy riding, weight, performance and price. Small displacement bikes are not in the plan at the moment.
BI: Is the off-road arena an aspect Ducati may look at in the future?
CD: With the new Multistrada Enduro we have presented, in 2016, a new adventure-oriented bike in the off-road segment, and we think that the segment is a very interesting one.
BI: Is there any added influence from Audi in any way? Are there any major changes in platform or a new platform they are considering? Maybe, a supercharged motorcycle?
‘With the new XDiavel, Ducati have entered a new segment where we have not been present before — the cruiser domain — and it has proved very successful’
CD: There are many options for collaboration between Audi and Ducati, and we capitalise on close co-operation and synergies in technical innovation and development (such as lightweight construction, lighting technology, and assistance systems, to name just a few). But, of course, every brand in the Volkswagen Group is responsible for its own product planning, product development, marketing and sales.
BI: We can’t help wondering about this: will two-wheel-drive figure in the scheme of things?
CD: There’s no such plan at the moment.
BI: Electricity cannot be ignored. Are full-electric or electric-assisted bikes a possibility? Perhaps, using an electricmotor assist to make a bike even quicker?
CD: Thinking about the future, Ducati are, of course, evaluating many opportunities. At the moment, though, it is still too early to anticipate any projects or strategic programmes in this field.
‘Product development and model range expansion will continue at a high pace in 2017. We will reveal all the news in autumn this year’
BI: As for MotoGP, was it a very difficult decision between Dovizioso and Iannone?
CD: Both riders are very competitive and they have contributed equally to the development of the Ducati bikes in MotoGP in the past three years, and, therefore, it has been quite a difficult choice.
BI: What do you see Jorge Lorenzo bringing to the table for the team in terms of approach and performance?
CD: We signed Lorenzo because he is a multiple world champion (2010, 2012, 2015 champion; second in 2009, 2011, and 2013; and third in 2014). We have always appreciated Lorenzo as a top rider; he has seen the progress of the bike so it came naturally. We believe now that we have all the right conditions for him to repeat the feat, this time with Ducati.
BI: What sort of added technology transfer can we expect from the MotoGP programme to the road bikes? How much more electronics can there be?
CD: For Ducati, racing is part of the brand’s DNA and allows to develop new technologies which can be implemented in the production. We cannot imagine a Ducati bike without our commitment to motor sport.