"Although 2020 is a stormy year, the third quarter recorded the most positive performance ever," says Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati. Despite the pandemic, Ducati, delivered 14,694 motorcycles worldwide, and posted its best third quarter ever. Led by the Panigale platform and Scramblers, September sales of 4,468 units confirmed the recovery trend that began in June.
Launched back in April the Ducati Cares program has helped Ducati recover from a slow start and a six-week production stop right at the peak of the season. The goal was to get Ducatisti back to dealerships according to Domenicali. “With Ducati Cares, customers could visit their trusted Ducati dealers around the world in complete safety, as well as digitally interact to book an appointment or evaluate the purchase of a motorcycle remotely.” The plan was proven by Q3 and September’s continuing success.
"Now the situation is worsening again, unfortunately just when we are about to present to the world the new models for 2021, on which we have worked continuously despite the difficulties introduced by the pandemic,” Domenicali notes. With the COVID situation continuing to deteriorate, Ducati has decided to unveil its 2021 Model Year online, with a new format of episodes every Wednesday from November 4 to December 2.
“Once again we are forced to redefine working methods and processes in order to maintain a high level of attention to the safety of our employees, suppliers and operators,” adds Domenicali. “Digital presentations, use of smart working and video meetings, access into the company only when strictly necessary. All with the aim of serving Ducatisti all over the world in the safest possible way."
The best way to achieve that outreach is via its global network of 730 dealers and service points in almost 90 countries. This includes the latest openings in Rio de Janeiro, Vienna, Wolfsburg and Antwerp. Ducati Motor Holding now has a total of 1,665 employees.
"All of us are required to make a continuous effort to reconcile work needs with the safety measures defined by the internal Task Force in relation to the correct behavior to adopt in the company and at Ducati dealerships,” concludes Claudio Domenicali. “For this reason I would like to thank all the employees, suppliers and dealers who, in such unpredictable times, continue to react quickly to market demands and to adapt in a timely and attentive way to the situation that evolves daily."