Ducati To Purchase Aprilia

[mo_virgin]

I wonder what impact this will have... awsome ducati aprilia hybrids? or just the phasing out of an amazing italian bike company?

News Link

The following is a press release from Ducati, which indicates the Italian manufacturer has secured exclusive rights to negotiate the purchase of Aprilia.Bologna July 17th 2004, Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH, Borsa Italiana S.p.A.: DMH), the high performance motorcycle manufacturer has reached an agreement today with Aprilia shareholders, for the exclusive negotiation in the acquisition of the group.

The agreement foresees a due diligence period on certain legal, fiscal and accounting matters.

The decision is a clear step forward in the negotiation process, which is essential for the future of Aprilia and the Italian motorcycle industry. This agreement marks the beginning of a new and important negotiation phase with all the parties involved in the Group restructuring in order to ensure the continuity of the Aprilia business.

"We are fully satisfied with the progress of the negotiation," comments Federico Minoli, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. "We are close to the end of a complex process. We have a sound industrial plan and we are confident of the support that we will receive from banks, suppliers, other creditors, management and unions. Since 1996, with the help of all the constituents we have transformed Ducati from a struggling company to a worldwide success. Today Ducati is traded in the stock exchanges of Milan and New York, it is healthy, financially secure and ready to invest financial resources and knowledge to recreate the Ducati success story with Aprilia. Our plan is simple: maintain the identity of each brand which is defined by their rich history and territory, while capitalizing on the synergies of critical mass in distribution, especially in foreign markets, research, development and purchasing."


Hope this isn't a repost

[knees scrapin']

Haven't seen that yet. Another story of the big fish eating the little one. So much for competition.

[bol]

Originally posted by knees scrapin'
Haven't seen that yet. Another story of the big fish eating the little one. So much for competition.

Aprilia has been in financial trouble for years. If anything this will save the brand.

[knees scrapin']

I don't know about that. I was doing a little reaserch after I read this. It seems to me that Aprilia's time might be over if the buy out goes through.
I could be wrong tho, the wife says I usually am