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"I understand that (Audi CEO) Rupert Stadler expects me to take a close look at Ducati’s technologies."

In a few weeks, Bentley and Bugatti CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer will be leaving for Ingolstadt, where he will head Audi’s research and development and lead the VW Group’s motorsports activities. At Audi, he will deal closely with motorcycle maker Ducati; a fitting job, as he earned his stripes at BMW’s motorcycle division before he became head of Porsche’s research and development. Two years ago, following a shakeup in VW Group management, he left for Crewe, England, to head Bentley and Bugatti. We recently sat down with Dürheimer to discuss the future of Bentley’s powertrains, the progress of the Bugatti Galibier, and his new responsibilities with Ducati and VW Group motorsports.

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Audi CEO addresses Ducati workforce as Antitrust Commission prepare to complete process
Borgo Panigale (Bologna)
Mr. Rupert Stadler, CEO of AUDI AG, accompanied by Mr.Thomas Sigi, responsible for AUDI AG Human Resources, visited the Ducati factory in Borgo Panigale , Bologna, Italy today, received by Ducati’s President and CEO, Gabriele Del Torchio and Ducati Management. After additional meetings with local RSU (Rappresentanza Sindacale Unitaria) union representatives, Mr. Stadler addressed the entire Ducati workforce of approximately 1000 people with a motivational speech that underlined Audi’s passion for the iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer.

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VW adds iconic Italian motorcycle company to its stable of brands...

What's the use of a little liquidity if you can't splash some of it around?

That appears to be the credo of Ferdinand Piech, recently reconfirmed for a third stint at the wheel of Volkswagen AG, who has just dipped into the deep corporate money pool for a bit more than a billion dollars to add legendary motorcycle maker Ducati to his collection of Italian companies.

Ducati made a pretty nice birthday present, along with his re-election as chairman late last month, for the now 75-year-old Piech, who has been single-mindedly steering Volkswagen toward the goal of becoming the largest car maker in the world for the better part of two decades.

Although some industry watchers, possibly irked at having to buy their cars and bikes one at a time rather than by the factory-full, see it as perhaps a little self-indulgent. “It's a new toy,” sniffily opined one, who's perhaps never owned a Ducati, as Piech does.

But what true corporate collector – VW's “toy” box now contains a dozen brands – wouldn't round out his Italian portfolio by adding the classic Ducati name to that of previously acquired exotic car maker Lamborghini and renowned design house ItalDesign if they had the chance.

And, unlike many other periods in a history that has more whoop-de-doos than a stadium motocross track, Ducati's driving engine is currently as “on song” as it's ever been....more here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-life/classic-cars/in-pursuit-of-ducati-magic/article2426428/

According to Italian website Moto.it, things in the Valencia Ducati Corse box are tense this weekend because much Audi ordered change is in store for the Ducati team after the race weekend and 2 day Valencia test....

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