Ducati to build Thai factory...now confirmed

[abby normal]

based on some of the careless assembly crap i've seen on both my
production ducatis (1990 851, 2004 S4R), i don't really see how
it could be much worse.  example ... guido must have really wanted
to go home on the friday they built the S4R, cause he put on the
left side case cover without sealant.

contrary to the common view, assembly jobs in '3rd world' countries often
result in high quality assembly.  those jobs are prized, and the
workers take them VERY seriously.

[silas]

Many early Porsche boxters  were assembled in Finland, same plant that assembled Saabs and other cars for years. Assembly is a globally accepted subcontract item nowadays, so Ducati is just joining the ship. Those early boxters had chronic bad engine castings resulting ('99-01) in blown $11K motors at about the 50K mile mark. Not sure who the caster was or if it was from Germany (completed motors were shipped to Finland I believe- somones pipe in) I agree about subbing assembly potentially improving build quality. I wonder what the Japs thought about toyota being assembled in the USA ! Great subject to debate. VW's in Mexico for 20+ years....

Did you hear that Hyundai is the "most american" car mfr in the US today- having a higher percent of their cars assembled in the US than any other mfr. I guess GM assembles lots of cars in Canada. great subject .
Please let's keep at least the motors made in Italia !

[Jarvicious]

If some group of cats in Nortern Nepal decide to start building really incredible bikes but due to the difficult nature of getting parts and a factory built in the mountains and they decide to build in neighboring China as well as outsource some of the parts to India, I'm not gonna complain just so long as they're producing just as nice a bike as everyone else.  As long as Ducati continues to put out the "bad ass on two wheels" they've been building, I'm ok with it. Buying something simply becasue it's specifically made or designed somewhere is ridiculous as is not buying something for the same reason.  That is unless you're staunchly against the principle of the thing or their quality has just totally gone to shit.  I have no problems buying Japanese motorcycles, I'm just enamored with my Duc and the Beemer.  I also prefer buying American too, but there just aren't any affordable 'merican sport bikes out there.  Someone aready said both Hyundai and Toyota are heavily manufactured in the United States which simply reinforces my choice to buy a Toyota, but if their trucks start loosing their well-known quality you can bet your ass I won't think twice about buying something better, regardless of where it's made. 

[matt922]

might just be a factory to self serve the asian nations

[Betty]

Oh come on. If buying a Ducati was a rational choice I can understand some of the arguments ... but it isn't ... and most of us justify the purchase by some other means.

Manufacturing outside Italy would be another cross they would have to bear ... at current pricing that could be a step too far for many. If it suddenly makes them more affordable then that may be a whole different ball-game.

[cbartlett419]

the horse is dead yeah? ok great, I was really hoping the thread title was somebody screwing with the board, but seein' how rumors turn to facts 'round these parts, I'm a little sick in my stomach. for me half of owning a Ducati is the knowledge that it was built with Italian craftsmanship, feels exotic and Ducati's small scale makes the ownership feel intimate, as if I've bought into something special. The other half is knowing that they make a superb product. I get subing out manufacturing for margin's sake, but goddamn Ducati did you really have to? I'm with Raux, when I'm rich and famous and have the free capital to own multiple overpriced Italian motorcycles, they will be pre 2012's

[ducatiz]

The Thai Triumphs have an engine built and tested in UK before being shipped out to Siam.  I imagine the frames will be done the same way too, as Ducati gets them from Empressa (IIRC) who does the metal working and ships them to Bologna.

I don't know that little Thai folks assembling them will be much different than little Bolognese folks. 

Design will still be in house, major component assembly will still be in Bologna so you won't have to worry about losing the occasional cigarette butt in the crankcase.

Think of it as a pit stop for your bike on its way from italy.

[derby]

I don't know that little Thai folks assembling them will be much different than little Bolognese folks. 

(as my old race mechanic used to say) smaller hands.

[jerryz]

HD are now Building bikes in Indian factory ...abieit from knock down kits for the Asian market , BMW have done same thing in thailand for a while , but triumph now have 3 factories in thailand with a 4th coming which will make engines as well , yes the engines are still made in UK but not the frames they are all made in thailand  ....it has not made triumphs cheaper in thailand though because triumph messed up the Tax arrangement for bike sold in Thailand unlike Kawasaki so a bonny is still $18,000 here ($9500 in US) wheras Kawasaki W800 rival will be only $9800 when sold here .Triumphs are treated as imports with massive duties ?dumb idiots as now Kawasaki sell 50 bikes to each one Triumph sell in Thailand even with a massive local demand and love for the British brand , actually ducati sell 4 bikes to every one Triumph sell here already.
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MONSTERMAN

[Howie]

Honda builds Hornets in Italy and even equips them with Ducati voltage regulators.  Most of our Ducatis, though built in Italy, have high Japanese parts content, including some of the reputed less than reliable electronic parts including voltage regulators.  Most our bikes were equipped with Japanese shocks and forks, not to mention carburetors.  Someplace on this board people were complaining about 2011 Monsters switching from Showa forks to the "inferior" Marzocchis.   

[Old-Duckman]

Been considering an Aprilia anyway...this just might tip the scale.

[ab]

Outsourcing sucks.  Tired of it happening everywhere.  Those of you that think you are immune from it need to wake up.

F Ducati And triumph then.  ( I own both products too )

[J5]

contrary to the common view, assembly jobs in '3rd world' countries often
result in high quality assembly.  those jobs are prized, and the
workers take them VERY seriously.

my job is with the appliance industry which a few years ago sent the factory from NZ and australia to mexico and thailand and also italy funny enough , R&D has remained in NZ

warranty rates are now at a record low and getting better and damaged products are well below what they once were

as the owner stated there is no paid unemployment in thailand, if you dont work right there is someone ready to take your spot

labour costs was 1 reason for moving the factory , the other was they all trade in US$ with all the parts suppliers so less of a currency problem which adds to bottom line

dual cab utes have been assembled in thailand for many years and doesnt explain why the toyota hilux costs 50% more than the competition , but like ducati, if you want 1 you have to pay the price

[ungeheuer]

Oh come on. If buying a Ducati was a rational choice I can understand some of the arguments ... but it isn't ... and most of us justify the purchase by some other means.

Manufacturing outside Italy would be another cross they would have to bear ... at current pricing that could be a step too far for many. If it suddenly makes them more affordable then that may be a whole different ball-game.

You hit the nail on the head exactly. 

[Cloner]

http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/5713/ducati-to-open-a-factory-in-thailand-workers-worried

Business is business.  If you think for a minute that Ducati care what you think about their production facilities you are sadly mistaken.

More units = lower cost per unit .... usually.  This could result in either lower selling prices or greater profitability for the company.  Either way, as a "fan" of the brand, you win.  You cannot realize unless you've been a long term luster of Ducati motorcycles how lucky you are to be able to buy one today.  On several occasions Ducati was on the brink of oblivion and were rescued at the last minute, often to the long term detriment of the rescuer.

If this makes Ducati a more profitable entity, then viva Ducati.   [moto]