Maybe next year when one actually exists? Personally I don't see CF Moto as a threat to Ducati's current customer base for some time. But I've definitely been wrong before so... LOL!
2 or 3 year old models though. Over production is what got them in a mess. Can't see the new owners repeating that. TBH i suspect all large capacity motorcycles are on a downward slide. You only have to look at the new models that sell in numbers now and they are all below 1000cc (excepting the anomaly that is the GS) and often below 500cc.
I know I'm not really target market for the new smaller bikes and they can be very quick round a track, but if all I had to look forward to in a future biking life (if I was 30 years younger) was a myriad of 120hp 2-3 cylinder bikes I don't know if I'd bother. The gradual build up over the years to be able to have, and ride to ones max ability, a 200+ hp, low weight bike, knowing all time the bike is far better than I am is priceless (apart the all money the spend on it!). I don't come from a rich family, and don't have a mega paid job, so money spent on bikes has to be high fun per pound. But having said all that, I now have to make do with 170hp and a heavy bike. It's a sad time that KTM will stop making bonkers big capacity bikes, they do it well.
Yes, not so long ago people used to laugh at BYD and I even recalll the first Honda bikes were derided by the hard-core Brit-bike owners. Japcrap was it ?
Rice burners took over mass produced Trumpets. I don't see Ducati as a mass producer or competition to CF Moto.
Chinese and Indian manufacturers build literally millions of bikes per year. Ducati's 60,000 per year is in a different marketplace altogether. BYD are killing Stellantis; no threat to Lamborghini.
You don’t mention VAG there who have a massive debt burden and who, too, must be tremendously squeezed between Govt’s saying no more ICE and the Chinese who have started their production facilities with a clean sheet of paper. Or are they to a degree protected due to their majority owners being able to potentially bale them out?
VAG also have their dealership network with sales and maintenance in place. I think this will be a considerable factor in their competition with cheaper Chinese cars. Will the Jaewoo & BYD etc last more than 3 - 4 years and maintain their values? Are parts and repairs going to be an issue? No way of knowing right now. But I do remember Datsun disappearing after amazing sales in the 70's.
I doubt it is dead, but probably is for our lifetime. The pendulum can swing back quite quickly. Look at Ireland.
"The State of Lower Saxony owns approximately 11.8% of Volkswagen AG's equity and holds around 20% of the voting rights, allowing it to influence major decisions within the company”. VAG tried a cost-cutting, factory closure strategy a year ago to help the balance sheet. It failed because the IG Metal union said no. State ownership and union control means normal commercial rules do not apply as their priorities are protecting jobs, not shareholders. So yeah, VAG is special.
…and this is not just when they are in trouble, and with a surplus of unsold ‘stock’. KTM have historically done this. Lost a load on a 1290gt years ago, should have learned then! Foolishly just taken another hit on a Superduke R. (Wish I had bought”insert any other make here” ) Warranty * is only as good as the service received when there is an issue. Quality of build, electrical issues, imo, I cant see what has changed there going forward with the new models. Reading the spec it sounds like they have even more complex electronics. As to the new owners building huge numbers of scooters and smaller motorcycles, I dont see the relevance for improving anything apart from streamlining manufacture. Those models do not have the same complexity and/or tech on the products. So, what are they brining to the table in the way of customer service? That being a big part of issues.. * BMW have not been without issues on some motorcycles. But how they resolve issues is another matter altogether. Break down on one in Europe and get great help. Break down on a KTM and hope the service is better than mine, trying to prove via email stood at the roadside that the just serviced and less than six month old bike had ‘actually been serviced’ to keep it in warranty, before they would recover it/me! Then 3 month to get the engine ‘repaired’. It is a shame, some of their models tick a lot of boxes on paper. They may also be technically solvent now. That does not mean that ‘buyer beware’ is not best advice going forward.
We have a Kove dealer here in my small town. Been to have a look round this morning. All manufacturers should be a bit afraid of what they are doing. Very Nicely finished and lighter than all the competition. To date they have proven very reliable. Currently building a big spares warehouse in Europe. Also offered a test ride when the weather improves. Had Hillier’s Dakar bike on the showroom floor.
I've test rode the 800 it is a better bike than the Ktm 990 adventure I had. Stonking engine + lightweight =
"New owners building huge numbers ... don't see the relevance"? The relevance is financial. A huge firm can afford to spend £££ on design, development, testing, production engineering and promoting of new models. And if a model is a failure, they won't go bankrupt; they will just try again.
