Ducati adds dealers; ends Thunder effort

From Ducati North America

CUPERTINO, CA - Ducati North America announced on Monday a series of plans to push its Canadian market forward beginning in early 2009.

As Ducati organizes its agenda for the upcoming motorcycling season, it will focus Canadian resources on supporting the growing dealer network, switching tactics from its 2008 participation in the Canadian Thunder class of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

Ducati will continue to develop its Canadian business with three new destination dealerships opening in 2009, located in Montreal, Toronto and Laval. The investment in facilities by Ducati and its Canadian partner dealers is part of a very successful and growing retail design program that was introduced by Ducati North America in 2007, with the 2008 Dealernews Grand Prize winner, Erico Motorsports of Denver.

“We are thrilled with the success the NCR Ducati team had this year, and are even more excited about the ambitious new projects going on with Ducati’s Canadian dealerships," said James Viola, marketing director of Ducati North America. "The commitment being made by dealers in new stores underscores the confidence in the brand. We will continue our racing efforts in United States next year and will make a formal announcement in January regarding our direction.”

The Ducati NCR squad dominated the Canadian Thunder class championship with the 848 Superbike. The team surpassed the goals it set out to achieve in 2008 by not only capturing the championship, but winning every race and finishing 1-2 four times during the season.