Photo: Ducati
Ducati is planning to build the recently-introduced Scrambler bikes in their new plant in Thailand, rumor has it. It is uncertain whether the machines which have been presented at the debut motorcycle show in Cologne and the subsequent automotive shows in Paris and in the US in Florida have been actually assembled there or in Borgo Panigale.
However, we got a close-up encounter with one of the Ducati Scramblers at Paris and the bike looked really well put together, with a consistent feel and no visual defect which can be often spotted in certain Asian-manufactured products.
Other names in the business are following the same recipe, exporting the bikes as bits and pieces, then assembling them in plants around the world prior to sending them to international markets. In fact this s one of the main moves which leads to lowering the costs of the bikes, especially as the jobs the manufacturers create in foreign countries also earns them certain financial advantages from local authorities.
So this leaves us to knowing that a certain Scrambler was not put together by an Italian, or Italy-based worker. Does this make that much of a difference, especially in the globalized world? Will it be a drawback for this otherwise, cool new machine?
If the quality of the craftsmanship is on par with that of other Ducati bikes, then this is going to be a huge plus for Borgo Panigale, as it will serve as the perfect proof that a Ducati is a Ducati no matter where it comes from. And the low price (compared to other Ducati bikes) will make it even more attractive.
On the other hand, if the Scramblers will start losing a bolt or two because of the poor assembly quality, this might turn against Ducati. The Scrambler might transform overnight in the “poor step-brother” of the whole family, the not-fully-Ducati you get if you can’t afford the “real thing” and all.
We are definitely going to knock, smell, weigh, balance and listen to the new Ducati machine at the EICMA and we’ll let you know how it feels. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: The Scrambler will be built in Italy.
Engines and frames made in Italy
It is not a secret that Ducati has been outsourcing the craftsmanship of several bike components and is using assembly plants outside Italy to circumvent certain import taxes and reduce the labor costs. Still, motorcycle frames and engines are still manufactured in the Bologna facility, under strict surveillance and making sure the quality standards are intact.Other names in the business are following the same recipe, exporting the bikes as bits and pieces, then assembling them in plants around the world prior to sending them to international markets. In fact this s one of the main moves which leads to lowering the costs of the bikes, especially as the jobs the manufacturers create in foreign countries also earns them certain financial advantages from local authorities.
How about the Ducatisti?
Of course, for the diehard Ducati fans, this might not be exactly the best news, in case this turns out to be true. However, this is a tricky matter. First of all, the frame and the engine are built by Ducati in Italy, so they are supposed to be top-notch. Likewise, it’s hard to believe that Ducati would just use whatever arrives from third-party suppliers without knowing that everything is perfect, as well.So this leaves us to knowing that a certain Scrambler was not put together by an Italian, or Italy-based worker. Does this make that much of a difference, especially in the globalized world? Will it be a drawback for this otherwise, cool new machine?
If the quality of the craftsmanship is on par with that of other Ducati bikes, then this is going to be a huge plus for Borgo Panigale, as it will serve as the perfect proof that a Ducati is a Ducati no matter where it comes from. And the low price (compared to other Ducati bikes) will make it even more attractive.
On the other hand, if the Scramblers will start losing a bolt or two because of the poor assembly quality, this might turn against Ducati. The Scrambler might transform overnight in the “poor step-brother” of the whole family, the not-fully-Ducati you get if you can’t afford the “real thing” and all.
We are definitely going to knock, smell, weigh, balance and listen to the new Ducati machine at the EICMA and we’ll let you know how it feels. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: The Scrambler will be built in Italy.
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