Ducati Motor Holding Presents its Offer for the Acquisition of the Majority Share of Aprilia

Ducati Motor Holding Presents its Offer for the Acquisition of
the Majority Share of Aprilia 


BOLOGNA, Italy, July 7  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
(NYSE:DMHNYSE:BorsaNYSE:ItalianaNYSE:S.p.A:NYSE:DMH), a leading manufacturer of
high performance motorcycles, has presented today an offer for the acquisition
of the majority share of the Aprilia Group.

This offer intends to solve the recent financial crisis of Aprilia in order to
re-establish its role as a leader, built up over years of hard work and
successes in the two-wheel market.

This operation is based on the wish to promote the Italian two-wheel industry
consolidation. This new group, first of its kind in Europe, would be able to
compete successfully at a global level, thanks to the strengths and
peculiarities of each single brand, scale economies and the technological
excellence resulting from the combination of each company's competencies.

"Ours is a long-term industrial project," said Federico Minoli, Ducati Chairman
and CEO. "We are not financial investors. We are moved by passion and we are
dedicated to the success of Italian bikes worldwide. We are conscious that this
success depends on respecting and enhancing the different identities of each
single brand, each one directly linked with its products, its history and its
territory, where manufacturing sites have to be kept. Technological
competencies, the real asset of each company, could be better used in an
integrated and coherent development plan that avoids duplication, and that
concentrates its investment efforts on technology and innovation. All together
these companies will have a great market penetration force, in particular
abroad, realizing in the meantime important synergies in sales structures and
distribution channels, as well as in purchasing and administrative structures.
Our Ducati turn-around experience leaves us confident of the possibility of
success and conscious of the responsabilities we are assuming versus an
industry sector that has always proudly brought the Italian geniality and
passion for the two-wheel industry to the world."

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by
unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall
technical excellence. The Company produces motorcycles in five market segments
which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers:
Superbike, Supersport; Monster, Sport Touring and Multistrada. The Company's
motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus
in the Western European, Japan and North American markets. Ducati has won
twelve of the last fourteen World Superbike Championship titles and more
individual victories than the competition put together. For more information
about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.ducati.com/

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking and are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those anticipated, as described in documents previously
filed by the Company with CONSOB and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. 

DATASOURCE: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.



CONTACT:  For further information, please contact: Fabrizio Nardi,

Investor Relations, Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. Via Cavalieri

Ducati, 3, Bologna 40132, Italy, Main Tel: [phone]

Direct tel: [phone] E-mail: 

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