Ducati: the Government steps in to bring it back to Italia, and a meeting with Volkswagen
Confindustria President Emanuele Orsini: ‘We will do everything we can to protect workers; as a nation, we are here to support them’
The Ducati saga is entering its political phase. Yesterday morning, Monday 21 September 2026, the Minister for Enterprise, Adolfo Urso, the President of Emilia-Romagna, Michele De Pascale, and the President of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini, walked through the gates of Borgo Panigale to meet with Chief Executive Claudio Domenicali. This high-level meeting paves the way for Friday’s talks between the government and the top management of Audi-Volkswagen, from which Rome hopes to ascertain whether the German manufacturer has indeed decided to bring the Rossa to market.
The matter has become urgent following Volkswagen’s decision to review its portfolio: Ducati is among the 600 businesses, out of 2,000, under scrutiny. Audi, which has controlled the brand since 2012, has confirmed that the possibility of a sale is being discussed, although no formal decision has yet been taken.
In the background lies the crisis facing the German group, which is in the midst of a restructuring and, following the latest profit warning, could see 2026 end with a margin of no more than 1 per cent. Ducati, on the other hand, remains a healthy asset. In 2025, it delivered 50,895 motorbikes, generated 925 million in revenue and posted an operating profit of 52 million, with a margin of 5.6 per cent. Bloomberg Intelligence values it at 1.25 billion euros. These figures explain why an institutional front is forming around Borgo Panigale. “Should a divestment take place, we as a nation are ready,” said Orsini, highlighting the approximately 2,000 direct employees and the wider economic impact.
Minister Urso has upped the ante: “I am determined,” he said, arguing that “the time has come for this company to return fully to Italian ownership”. The Government is ready to use all available means, including Golden Power.
According to rumours, the government is already considering a solution in the event of a sale; among the scenarios circulating was the possibility of involvement by CDP, which has, however, denied this. De Pascale reiterated that Ducati “is one of the symbols of Italian engineering”. On Friday, it will become clear whether the dossier will remain a precautionary measure or turn into a systemic operation.
