Ducati North America has announced a tremendous close to 2010, posting retail gains of 35 percent in December over the same period in 2009.
The company announced retail sales growth of eight percent in the third quarter and nine percent in the fourth quarter of 2010, defying the trend of an industry that declined 15 percent and 14 percent in each respective quarter. Ducati closed the year with record market share in North America due to a combination of innovative new product, dealer network support and dynamic marketing programs.
In 2010, Ducati introduced a host of exciting new products that contributed to the company's retail success in North America, including the Hypermotard 796, Hypermotard 1100EVO and EVO SP, Monster 696 ABS, Monster 796, 848EVO Superbike, 1198S Corse Superbike and the Multistrada 1200 family.
The Ducati Performance department, which oversees accessories, apparel and spare parts, followed the positive trend set by motorcycle sales. In 2010, spare part sales were up seven percent, accessories up five percent and apparel sales increased a phenomenal 24 percent. The company has more innovative programs set for 2011 that promise to deliver a further increase in Ducati Performance sales.
Ducati's marketing programs were another cornerstone of the brand's 2010 successes. Ducati raced and won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the versatile Multistrada 1200 and re-signed American MotoGP rider, Nicky Hayden. Perhaps the most exciting was the addition of Italian icon, Valentino Rossi, to Ducati's MotoGP racing team. Ducati prominently appeared in blockbuster films including Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Knight & Day and Tron Legacy. The Ducati Islands were the off-track center of attention at the three international road races in the United States, while the Ducati Academy redefined the standard in dealer training. Unveiled at November's EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show, the new-for-2011 Ducati Diavel has set the stage for further success the New Year.
To compliment all of the above Ducati received numerous industry awards including Best Open Streetbike (Multistrada 1200 S Sport) from Cycle World magazine and Manufacturer of the Year from MotorcycleUSA.com.
"We are very satisfied with Q3 and Q4 results, with a solid growth from 2009 and a record market share. These achievements mark the turning point for Ducati in North America," said Cristiano Silei, CEO of Ducati North America. "We are extremely excited about our potential for 2011 with the arrival of the Diavel complimenting our outstanding product line-up and our marketing and dealer support programs coming into full fruition."
