With substantial government support: Ducati invests 121 million euros

Falling sales figures, shrinking profit margins, and, to top it all, speculation about a potential sale amidst a crisis at parent company Volkswagen that continues to spread: Ducati is currently facing challenges on several fronts. Against this backdrop, according to a company statement issued on Wednesday, the Bologna-based firm intends to invest 121 million euros with the support of the Italian government, with the bulk of this – 99 million euros – earmarked for research and development.

The Italians have named the investment programme ‘Ducati Raise the Bar’, which was approved as part of a development agreement with the ‘Ministry of Trade and Made in Italy’, the Italian Ministry of Trade. The government is contributing €33.5 million in the form of a non-repayable grant, thereby funding just over 25 per cent of the programme from the national budget. No timeframe for disbursement has been specified. As a point of reference: in the 2025 financial year, the Borgo Panigale-based brand posted an operating profit of 52 million euros, following 91 million euros in 2024.

The investment is intended to facilitate the development of “innovative and sustainable technologies”, expand the product range and further develop Ducati’s production processes. Again, no specific timeframe was given, but the results are expected to have a “long-term” impact. The investment programme is intended to create added value for ‘the entire Italian supply industry’ and is also designed with a view to the ‘strategic value’ of Motor Valley and the expertise based there. This is the name given to the region in Emilia-Romagna, where Ducati is based and where its sister company Lamborghini, as well as Ferrari, Maserati, various racing teams and suppliers, also have their headquarters.