Ducati to use Thailand as an export hub
Italian big bike manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding aims to make Thailand one of its export hubs after opening a new factory in Rayong, its first production facility in Asia.
The 400-million-baht plant will make 10,000 motorcycles a year in the first phase.
“Thailand is an important market for premium motorcycles, or big bikes, and we want to make Thailand our export base,” said Claudio Domenicali, chief executive of Ducati Motor Holding.
Its new operation will be overseen by Ducati Motor Thailand.
“We produce every model of Ducati motorcycles at our plant in Rayong. We ensure the products meet high standards set by the parent firm in Italy,” said Mr Domenicali.
The company plans to export the products to Asia-Pacific.
Its main markets outside Asia currently include Italy, Germany, the UK and the US.
China used to be its key market, but demand for Ducati motorcycles has turned sluggish amid the country’s economic slowdown.
Ducati has yet to set a sales target for 2024. The sales volume will be determined by demand growth and market sentiments, said Mr Domenicali.
Last year the company delivered 58,000 motorcycles to its customers around the world.
In Thailand, big bike sales are expected to increase, driven by the lifestyles of riders.
Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vicechairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and spokesman for the FTI’s Automotive Industry Club, said earlier that he expects production of big bikes, with 400 cubic centimetres (cc) or more, to increase to serve both domestic and overseas markets, following the tourism recovery.
People with adventurous lifestyles like big bikes, he said.
The FTI expects total sales of big bikes to stand at 15,000 units in Thailand this year.
In 2023, production of all types of motorcycles i n Thailand rose by 5.2% year-on-year to 2.12 million units, with 1.7 million of them manufactured for export, according to the Thai Automotive Industry Association.