Ducati Monster Forum

Shake-Up at Ducati North America
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/rumors/rumor-michael-lock-leaving-ducati-north-america/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/rumors/rumor-michael-lock-leaving-ducati-north-america/)

That'd be too bad. Locke was good for Ducati NA.

Oh great.  :-/

Not something I wanted to hear in this down economy ..........especially the Motorcycle economy.

Dolph       :(

well according to their press officer who answered the thread! when he left work the night before, no changes pending.

what about him is controversial?
terrblanche, yes...but Lock is a really nice down-to-earth guy.

Outside of dealer support which I have never been impressed with, but could depend on what dealer(s) in the Ohio area I have used, managing DOC's, and race events, what is their real existence in the world? (actually a legitimate question from me)


They sure as shit don't stock parts. I wish they'd bring back a US DC.

I just got a 26$ speedo cable from Ducati Indianapolis (Travis in the Parts department ROCKS) that had to be shipped from Italy to Indianapolis and then to me.

I think shipping it from Italy to Ducati Indy superseded the cost of the part. Hopefully it was included in a shipment of other parts too, but didn't sound like it.

Part of the problem of the "old" Ducati (pre-TPG) was that every dealer had a stock of parts and getting an out-of-stock item took months (even for common items).  The "JiT" they use now keeps a monthly shipment coming to the states from the factory -- that way anything needed by a dealer is theoretically no more than a month out.

The old design kept millions (well, maybe hundreds of thousands) of dollars in parts tied up at dealerships and many of them had less-than-ideal inventory management, i.e. NONE.  Thus, they would list a manifset with 10 pieces of part X and go look in the drawer and they have none.

I think the current setup is the better of the two.  I think they should keep a NAmerica storehouse though, we are a big-enough market.

Yeah, I understand the JIT philosophy, just wish it was based in a warehouse here and not in Italy.

I am not sure they ship how you mention above.

My part was shipped when Travis placed the order and arrived in Indy 12 business days after the phone call I made to Indy. Travis quoted me 2 weeks on the part, so at least they are pretty make the beast with two backsing accurate on ship times.


Having excess inventory can also financially hurt dealerships and possibly DNA. If they have a shit ton of slow moving parts, their inventory levels on their balance sheet will look like shit.


I was pleased with how quick it took to get here from Italy based on previous stories.

Thank god it didn't happen in August.

maybe you hit it towards the end of the month on their standing order. so basically you caught the boat as it was pulling out of the port ;)

i would think if this is the method they use, two times a month for dealerships would give them a better reputation with customers. plus some stock should be maintained for all standard service.

Their computer system calculates the ship times.  They have either a monthly or bi-weekly shipment of all the North American parts orders which come to the HQ and are UPS'ed to the dealers.

The delivery dates are based on pick time, ship from Italy and then delivery to US HQ. 

Indy Ducati actually had one in stock, but was already promised to another customer.

I am sure some dealers keep on hand the basic parts that are commonly used more than others.

Seriously........who else needs a speedo cable for a 99 750?


damn, I must have made that phone call on the right day.

why would you need to ship to Ducati NA in Jersey (I'm told there's a warehouse there) or Cupertino?
It's all computer tracking so no need for the added expense - I think.

bulk international shipping, probably cheaper, less paperwork, and less issues with customs on both ends.

I believe you were told wrong.

Ducati got rid of their US Based warehouse a few years ago. Ducatiz knows more about it.


It seems like Ducati in Italy just bulk ships to each dealer, at least from what it sounds like.

 :(
this was told to me about two weeks ago.  I guess I need "newer" contacts.  In any event, shipping is way too slow IMO.

Everyone's kind of right

There IS a warehouse in Carteret NJ, however its primary purpose is to facilitate returns from DNA to Ducati Italy.

All parts ordered in the US, are shipped from Italy direct. Shipments are by DHL airfreight 2-3 times a week.

 [thumbsup]  

Dave, can you give us a definitive answer for the original question of the thread?

I have heard absolutely no mention of it..  I certainly hope it's not true!   

Here's the press release from DNA as posted on A&R

MANAGEMENT CHANGE AT DUCATI NORTH AMERICA
Cupertino, Calif. (16 July 2010) – Ducati Motor Holding announces today that Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America, is leaving the company at the end of July.
Michael joined Ducati in 2002 in the UK, and in early 2003 moved to the USA to head up the management team at Ducati North America’s headquarters in Cupertino, CA. Over the next seven years Lock’s team made many changes to Ducati’s organization, distribution, marketing and service operations.

Lock’s hard work culminated in Ducati achieving its highest ever US market share in 2009, increasing Canadian sales four-fold between 2003-2009, and taking over responsibility for the brand in Mexico earlier this year. As well as setting sales records, Lock transformed DNA’s communication strategies and delivered numerous highlights including the Monster Challenges, high profile retail promotions with brands such as Oakley and Puma, and the successful conquering of Pikes Peak with the Multistrada 1200 just this past June.
“I have experienced and participated in an amazing journey at Ducati. In a few short years we have been able to transform our brand into the most feared and admired European motorcycle by competitors and enthusiasts alike. It has been a privilege to be involved and I look forward to watching the brand soar to new heights over the coming years.” Said Lock from his office Cupertino, CA.

“Michael has been the driving force behind the great success Ducati has enjoyed in North America this past seven years.  His ambition, passion and his unwavering determination has established our beloved brand as the object of desire for any motorcyclist.  He has nurtured the brand, developed the dealer network and put together an outstanding team in the US, Canada and Mexico alike.” Said Cristiano Silei; Vice President Sales at Ducati Motor Holding in Bologna, Italy.
While Lock moves on to pursue other opportunities, Ducati North America is looking to finish a challenging year strongly. The much-admired Multistrada 1200 has been winning awards, while the recent arrival of the Monster 796 to dealer showrooms has spurred sales even further.

Cristiano Silei will assume the position of CEO of DNA for the interim while retaining his current position as Vice President of Sales at Ducati Motor Holding.
“North America is the most important international market for Ducati and the one I personally know the best.  I am excited to be supporting DNA’s Senior Managers to set and implement policy for the new season.  Our goals are to support our dealer network and keep improving our market share thanks to an ever expanding product line-up, innovative branding and sound commercial policies”.

Source: Ducati North America

oh well, another one bites the dust.

now if they'd just fix their inventory system we'd be all set.

What system would you suggest?

A NA warehouse with one of everything and two of what you and your buddy want?

Do you realize what that would do to the cost of parts that are already outrageously priced?

There are circumstances when parts are difficult to get in a timely manner such as when Italy shuts down in the summer, or when a supplier goes belly up and they have to decide what will happen.

In my experience the length of time it takes to get a Ducati part is more related to the dealer than Ducati. If you need a part in a hurry, tell the dealer. There is a system in place to get bikes that are down back on the road.

expensive, yes - thankfully there are competitors out there willing to design and build parts we can buy.

I'm not in inventory management so I can't comment on costs of storage but being that this is the fastest growing brand, or at least was last year, you'd think they would manage their "shut down for summer" a little better than they have no matter what the country of origin is.

And I do agree that many times dealers have gotten results, at least they have for me.  I've called several and there's usually one or two who say guaranteed in X days instead of we have to wait for Italy to ship.  Still scratching my head on that one but I have to think there's some preferential treatment to exclusive brand dealers as there is with Yamaha and the like. 

The European continent is not likely to change their lifestyle to accommodate us. ;)

I don't believe it.

Any Duc dealer can get a part in 3-5 business days as long as they're willing to give up the extra discount they get by ordering it through more conventional channels, and Ducati Italy has it and is open.

Dealers like Duc Sea, and many others, know the deal and stock what sells and take care of their customers on the items they don't stock.

FTR, I'm not inexperienced in inventory management or customer service.

Nothing is rocket science...except well...

rocket science. ;D

It's just good dealers that know how to do business.

It's the same thing as with the fuel tank fiasco.

The good dealers take care of their customers and the suck dealers lie to the people for some reason I don't understand.

I just pray the new folks did not go to the Castiglione biz school in Varese

I did wait on the first fuel tank for weeks but the second tank just happened to be laying around  [laugh]
Hoping they get better at this since the bikes have gotten better and better and better. 

Back in the days when Ducati had a warehouse here parts service was worse.  The dealer would order from the warehouse only to find they were out of stock.  The warehouse then had to order from Italy.  When the warehouse got the part from Italy they would send the part to the dealer.  This added not only added expense, but also increased wait time for parts.  Good dealers (like our sponsors) carry a decent inventory. 

Back to the OT, I don't know anything about Cristiano Silei... anyone?

he is on Facebook though..


http://www.facebook.com/home.php# (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#)!/profile.php?id=1353052465

So anyone taking a guess where Michael will appear at next?  Fiat's (re)introduction to the USA upcoming?  Another motorcycle company?  Or perhaps an electric powered motorcycle manufacturer? (or hybrid car manufacturer)  Hopefully he doesn't disappear ala "gardening duty" as some legal paperwork sometimes dictates...