[Ducati] My comments on D'Onofrio's statements.

[Mike Aquino]

Stephen,

Your comments are much too well thought out for this crowd.
I am former HD owner and rider. I have no particular left-over 
allegiance to  Harley Davidson. Once I rode my 748 I sold RoadKing and a 
Sportster so fast my head spun. 

I do however bristle a the usual "me too" uninspired Harley bashing. 
It's tired and not very clever.
Apples and Oranges, dont'cha know...

I don't really think Ducati should partner with HD either, but not for 
the reasons cited by most around here.
Both HD and Ducati are successful because of brand loyalty. This whole 
thread was started because of a conversation that motor press had with a 
financial officer of Ducati Motor Holding. He didn't even confirm the 
story. He gave his opinion of the concept.
Even so it has caused huge emotional and knee jerk reaction among the 
devoted. We've all heard the uninformed statements about Ducati's. 
Ignorance is the cornerstone of prejudice.  I'm not going to debate the 
virtues of  Harley Davidsons (or Ducatis) with people that have never 
even thrown their leg over one.

If everyone wants to petition Bologna against this possible merger, we 
better do a better job at articulating our objections.
"Harleys suck, dude" doesn't translate into Italian very well.

Alex had it right. We have much more in common with HD owners than we 
care to admit.

skid


S & L Warburton wrote:
> I too took the time to read the article.
> I see no compelling arguments FOR this possible partnering, prejudice and folklore aside.
>
> I believe the statement that "Ducati has more to gain from this arrangement than HD has to loose" is partially false. I agree HD has
> nothing to loose, it can only gain from such a deal. It's Ducati and we who have bought or will buy the present range of Ducati
> products that will loose.
>
> Rob, your comments of, "We could also have what we've come to expect from Ducati, plus better distribution of parts, a more dense
> (geographically, not intellectually) dealer network, and faster/better handling cruisers."
> You honestly think HD have better parts supplies? I know some true Harley die hards and I've heard stories that make some of the
> worst Ducati stories sound like Sunday School tales.
> Better Dealer network? I'll bet you that some of the best Ducati shops will get shut down in favour of the bigger, bad-ass HD
> dealers in those specific regions should this go through.
> Oh and "better handling cruisers". I'll put Linda's 20 year old Indiana up against any new air cooled HD and blow it away. But they
> didn't sell back then and a similar beast won't sell today. People don't buy cruisers to go quick through the twisty bits.
>
> First off, these comments are coming from the Chief Financial Officer. That in and of itself should make you all quiver in your
> boots! When the bean counters start directing the company then the company's Directors start counting their beans, (meaning things
> like their separation payouts etc.). Often is the time that a CEO's vision has lead a company through dark times into prosperity. I
> have yet to read of a CFO being the hero of a company's turn around.
>
> "A merger with Harley-Davidson would be totally complementary"
> To who? Harley Davidson for sure. They would gain in the R&D and Technical side. HD would no longer have to farm out their
> engineering / design work to the likes of Porsche or Roush Engineering. They would be able to compete on the world stage at the
> highest levels, (WSB & MotoGP). OK, so Ducati would be able to run 1200cc bikes in AMA under the "HD can run anything they want"
> rule. But, Ducati has proven that it doesn't have to win an American race on Sunday to sell their bikes in North American on Monday.
> All the first run of $65,000 + USD Desmosedici RR's as well as the $14,995 USD entry level 1098's destined for North America have
> sold out. I suspect the same will happen to the Hypermotard as well.
>
> "...Half of all Ducati owners in the US also own a Harley"
> This statement I do not believe. I know there are several people on this list who own (or have owned) both. But there is no way half
> the people on this list presently own both a Ducati and a Harley. I want to see proof of this statements legitimacy.
> I believe someone told D'Onofrio this. Followed by the assumption that such a marriage would automatically make half the Harley
> owners rush out a buy Ducatis.
>
> "...the US company could also help Ducati with procurement, as Harley is a larger company that is able to get better quality
> products at lower prices."
> What better products? The last time Ducati put chromed parts on their bikes was back in the eighties on the Indiana. Honestly, I
> dare say Ducati is already among one of the largest single manufactures to purchase items like Olins suspensions & Brembo brake
> components and similar.
>
> "...A marriage would also increase distribution opportunities for Ducati, which is a relatively small manufacturer."
> The key phrase in this statement being "a relatively small manufacturer." What good is increased distribution if you are already
> sold out of product? If you are going to substantially increase your distribution you had better be prepared to increase your
> manufacturing to match. Which leads to staffing, scheduling and quality issues. Anyone who has read Tom Peters' knows the truth
> behind the hard lessons Harley had to learn to over come these problem areas. Problems that they seem doomed to repeat given recent
> recalls and last years strike.
>
> "...D'Onofrio acknowledged that some at the top of the company believe a combination with another company could dilute the Ducati
> brand, "
> Truer words were never spoken! If only he'd listen to them.
>
> "...The company has also changed its R&D structure, focusing more on racing,"
> Saaayy WHAT? This should tell you just how far up his own butt D'Onofrio has his head! How "more focused" could Ducati be about
> racing. It's always been about "the racing"! GEES!
>
> D'Onofrio, "estimates that Ducati will be ready to consider a "marriage" in about one- to- three years..."
> OK, so here is what I propose. Ducati owners of the world unite! We band together to be the White Knight in this tragic tail. If
> Duffus-ofrio goes to get married we all stand up when they get to the part about, "if anyone knows why these two should not etc.
> etc. ..." and we buy controlling interest out from under 'em!
> Who's with me?
>
> the Dreamer
> (a.k.a. Ducati Dreamin' Stephen)
> Living life on the edge. Less crowded, better view.
> '98 900 SS FE (biposto), silFEr
> DOCC #19
> DOCC Executive member in charge of vice
> Club web site: http://www.docc.ca
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> mailto:seven at reach.net
>
>