Ducati is a group of companies, best known for manufacturing motorcycles and headquartered in Borgo Panigale, Bologna, Italy. The group is owned by German automotive manufacturer Audi through its Italian subsidiary Lamborghini, which is in turn owned by the Volkswagen Group.[1]
The group currently comprises four companies:
In the 1930s and 1940s, Ducati manufactured radios, cameras, and electrical products such as razors. Ducati also made a marine binocular called the BIMAR for the Kriegsmarine during World War II, some of which were sold on the civilian market after the war.[2] The Ducati Sogno was a half-frame Leica-like camera which is now a collector's item. Ducati and Bianchi have developed and launched a new line of racing bicycles.[3]
Ducati Motor Holding often uses electrical components and subsystems from Ducati Energia.[citation needed]
Effective July 19, 2012, the Audi Group acquired 100 percent of the voting rights in the motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., Bologna (Italy) via Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., Sant'Agata Bolognese (Italy), a subsidiary of AUDI AG for a purchase price of EUR 747 million.