Ducati Gets An American Accent

DUCATI GETS AN AMERICAN ACCENT

CHICAGO-BASED Sam Zell is buying FINANCIER 50 percent of Ducati, according to an announcment from Cagiva S.p.A. Zell will pay $188 million for his stake in the Bologna, Italy-based company. His aim is to get Ducati listed on the New York Stock Exchange within two years. Cagiva boss Claudio Castiglioni said the deal and subsequent trading of Ducati stock will help the company sell more motorcycles in the U.S.

Cagiva North America spokesman Dan Van Epps said, “It’s hard to define what it means. My impression is that there will be no changes.”

Zell is a motorcycle enthusiast who owns several Ducatis,

and who rides with a group he calls Zell’s Angels.

The sale of 50 percent of the company, as opposed to a majority 51 percent or minority 49 percent interest, raised eyebrows in the business community.

“I question how accurate that figure is,” commented one observer.

Ducati’s worldwide sales are expected to reach about $220 million, Castiglioni said, adding that company’s sales could grow by 30 percent for 1996.

Castiglioni and his brother Gianfranco have owned Ducati since 1985, when they bought the troubled company from the Italian government for about $5 million. Jon F. Thompson