A new and welcome era of stability for Ducati in South Africa seems to be on the cards following the official launch event for the brand under the ownership of the Volkswagen Group; a new and enthusiastic team running the show, new dealerships, and far more visibility in the market are the bait to lure in and encourage new and existing owners alike.
Of course, we’ve heard all this before – not just for Ducati but for many motorcycling brands that have undergone a change of ownership – but this time, with the might of the VW Group behind it both here and internationally, all the ingredients are in place for success.
It’s no secret that the motorcycle market around the world is suffering from declining sales, which makes bold predictions of increased sales seem a little optimistic, but how much would we like to be completely disproven?
Currently, the sales target is 170 units per year, but the ambitions are to reach an annual target of 600-800 motorcycles in the coming years. Given that, since the official takeover of the brand in July, 30 units have been sold and delivered, maybe their goals are not unrealistic.
Any brand stands or falls on its dealer network, and this is one of the main focuses for the new owners of Ducati. Johannesburg will get a new dealership at the premises of Race!, currently situated in Kramerville, but rumoured to be moving to a new location in the near future.
World Of Motorcycles in Centurion will continue to be a Ducati main agent, as will Claremont in Cape Town. There are plans for brand new dealers in KZN, the Free State and the Eastern Cape soon.
One big improvement will be the ready availability of demo models for potential customers to ride – not to mention the press! – which is an essential element in any sales effort.
The VW Group is also able to bring its clout to more mundane areas of motorcycle ownership, such as customised Roadside Assistance for any owner with a Ducati still under warranty, as well as brand new Ducati Financial Services financing opportunities, making owning a Ducati so much easier.
The spares situation should be vastly improved, Ducati vouching that new systems put in place will ensure dealers get the stock they need both easier and quicker.
2026 is the 100th anniversary of Ducati, so what better time to give the brand the boost it needs in SA? For those whose budget might not stretch to a motorcycle, Ducati SA will have the full range of apparel and accessories available for the first time; previously, only the Ducati Corse range was available.
The full range of motorcycles will be available, from the Scrambler DesertX all the way through to the madness that is the Panigale and Streetfighter V4 models, via the Monster, Diavel and Multistrada models.
Later this year and into 2026, we will start to see the brand new off-road models in the form of the Desmo 450 MX, which you will be able to see in action at the King of the Whip event in November.
So, exciting times for Ducati in South Africa. ZA Bikers wishes the team working hard behind the scenes all possible success, and our readers can look forward to more Ducati-related content in the future.
