Photo: Ducati
It’s been more than a year since we reported that Ducati was working on a healthy return to the Indian market. And we just had to mention the term “healthy” because Ducati’s Indian adventure was ill-fated and came to a very bitter end, simply because Borgo Panigale had teamed up with the wrong guys. Local fellows Precision Motor had to take care of Ducati’s Indian operations, tending for both sales and aftersales services.
The Italian hat was way too big for Precision Motor and everything went down in flames, with Ducati technically being forced to stop selling bikes in India, and the local dealers only providing existing customers with whatever service support they could provide.
As autocar reports, all the personnel is ready and trained by Ducati, and all the operations will now be under direct supervision from the factory. Basically Ducati chose to do things the right way, by itself, with only minimal involvement from local partners. The salespersons are recruited locally, but the whole business is under Ducati management and administration, ensuring top quality services.
Thailand and India have special trade agreements, and the Scrambler is said to be offered for prices around $11,300 (€9,890), which are more affordable than what importing CBU bikes would yield.
Sales are expected to start in March or April, and Ducati will open two showrooms, one in Gurgaon and one in Mumbai. For obvious production reasons, the Scrambler machines are most likely to make it in the dealerships a tad later, but at least we know they are on their way.
A brand new start for Ducati in India, with a different approach
It looks like Audi buying Ducati also has a role in the new business approach. Even though Ducati was one of the western pioneers in the Indian market, with the initial presence officially established in 2008, the fact that the whole thing had to rely excessively on local resources proved to be a wrong move.As autocar reports, all the personnel is ready and trained by Ducati, and all the operations will now be under direct supervision from the factory. Basically Ducati chose to do things the right way, by itself, with only minimal involvement from local partners. The salespersons are recruited locally, but the whole business is under Ducati management and administration, ensuring top quality services.
Scramblers arrive from Thailand, sold for lower prices
Ducati plans to bring its entire line-up to India, but whether the Streetfighter will also make the journey is yet unknown. What is however, revealed by local sources is that the new Scrambler machines will arrive from the Thailand factory. We told you earlier that some of the Scramblers were to be built in Italy completely, and the rest will be assembled in the Thai factory where certain Monster models are also being manufactured.Thailand and India have special trade agreements, and the Scrambler is said to be offered for prices around $11,300 (€9,890), which are more affordable than what importing CBU bikes would yield.
Sales are expected to start in March or April, and Ducati will open two showrooms, one in Gurgaon and one in Mumbai. For obvious production reasons, the Scrambler machines are most likely to make it in the dealerships a tad later, but at least we know they are on their way.
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