Showing posts with label sale. Show all posts

REPORT: Daimler is not interested in buying Ducati

By | Published Monday, 2 April 2012

As soon as the information on the sale of Ducati came out, speculations of a possible takeover by Daimler emerged. Soon after, we learnt that Audi has reached an agreement with the Italian motorcycle manufacturer to secure the 'first refusal' option. In other words, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker has priority in the acquisition process in case Ducati gets eventually sold.

We discussed this theme and the chances Mercedes-AMG and parent company Daimler have in this business. The consistent marketing partnership between the Affalterbach company and the Italian constructor began back in November 2010, when the partnership was officially announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Up to the moment, a series of joint products have already been released, together with the involvement in advertising and motorsporting activities, through which both entities benefit. 


In a recent interview, a Daimler official denied the Germans are interested in acquiring the biggest stake in Ducati. This news inherently leads us to a logical question: why did Daimler spend an important amount of money on this partnership? The financial situation of Ducati was already known since 2010 and raising visibility for the two brands is a poor argument, we say. There were also intense rumors that Mercedes-AMG plans to unveil its own motorbikes using technical expertise from Ducati as part of a coherent growth plan.


Anyway, this could be a unique chance that might not come in the future and Daimler seems to afford the position of losing it without the blink of an eye. 

Related Articles:

- Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG and Ducati Streetfighter 848: Mercedes-AMG and Ducati highlight cooperation
- Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition celebrates world premiere at the IAA Frankfurt 2011: AMG and Ducati create first joint products
- Gabriele del Torchio takes delivery of new company car: Ducati president to drive new CLS 63 AMG
- Mercedes AMG, Cigarette and Ducati Share 'A Penchant for Performance'
- Ducati MotoGP works driver visits Affalterbach: Nicky Hayden takes delivery of a new CLS 63 AMG
- Mercedes-AMG: future plans at a glance
- Cooperation agreement signed with Italian motorcycle manufacturer: AMG to cooperate with Ducati



- ANALYSIS: Ducati is up for sale - Could Mercedes-AMG slip the chance?

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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ANALYSIS: Ducati is up for sale - Could Mercedes-AMG slip the chance?

By | Published Tuesday, 13 March 2012

At the LA Auto Show 2010, Mercedes-AMG and Ducati have signed an official cooperation agreement becoming effective from 2011 onwards. The main foundations of the strategic partnership were developing joint marketing activities and exploring routes for stronger, future collaborations.


A while ago, the news Ducati is looking for new "parents" appeared and since then, the gamble has begun. Just yesterday, a strange rumor emerged, stating Audi has reached a deal with the management board of the Italian motorbike manufacturer and thus has secured the 'first refusal' option in the event Ducati gets to be sold. Merc's Ingolstadt-based competitor execes have time until mid-April to make up their mind and decide whether to buy or not the motorcycle company. Anyway, a definitive conclusion to Ducati's sale is expected to be taken at the beginning of May.

If the rumor holds true, it's a pity to see Mercedes-AMG was caught rather empty-handed in this business. Already having a partnership doesn't necessarily mean one is in a preferential position. The Affalterbach-based firm should better be reconsidering its weapons quickly. Lately, we know there is a unanimous opinion Daimler AG must include a motorbike constructor in the portfolio and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they cannot afford to lose. If Ducati eventually went to Audi, it would then be a shame for all those beautiful products the Italians and Mercedes-AMG have marketed together. So, fingers crossed and good luck to Merc, because they will be facing a tough competition!

Related Articles:

- Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG and Ducati Streetfighter 848: Mercedes-AMG and Ducati highlight cooperation

- Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition celebrates world premiere at the IAA Frankfurt 2011: AMG and Ducati create first joint products

- Gabriele del Torchio takes delivery of new company car: Ducati president to drive new CLS 63 AMG

- Mercedes AMG, Cigarette and Ducati Share 'A Penchant for Performance'

- Ducati MotoGP works driver visits Affalterbach: Nicky Hayden takes delivery of a new CLS 63 AMG

- Mercedes-AMG: future plans at a glance

- Cooperation agreement signed with Italian motorcycle manufacturer: AMG to cooperate with Ducati

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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German government and Daimler AG plan sale of 7.5 percent of EADS shares by Daimler to KfW bank group

By | Published Saturday, 12 November 2011

Daimler AG and the German federal government have agreed in principle that the state-owned KfW bank group will take over a 7.5 percent equity interest in the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. (EADS) from Daimler. The sale is slated to take place in 2012. A letter of intent to that effect is to be signed by KfW and Daimler AG before the end of this year.


Daimler cofounded EADS more than ten years ago and since then has successfully supported the company in its development into a world market leader. At the same time, the Daimler Group has consistently pursued the strategy of focusing on its core automotive business for several years now.

“We are in agreement with the federal government: The establishment of EADS was one of the pioneering achievements among European industrial projects in a strategically highly important and sensitive sector. Due to the strategic importance of EADS, the government has decided to safeguard the German-Franco balance through its investment by KfW bank group. As a result, one of the decisive factors for the success of EADS is maintained and an equivalent shareholder structure between the two sides is achieved,” stated Bodo Uebber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Finance & Controlling and Daimler Financial Services.

“As we have always emphasized, Daimler remains committed to its role of industrial leadership on the German side,” continued Bodo Uebber.

Discussions on continuation of investor consortium (“Dedalus”)

Daimler and the German government have also agreed to hold conclusive discussions in the near future about the long-term structure of the investor consortium (“Dedalus”), which was set up in 2007 and confirmed in 2010. The consortium already holds 7.5 percent of EADS. The shared understanding is that the investor consortium should fundamentally continue to exist.

Voting rights following conclusion of the planned transaction

Ever since the foundation of EADS, Daimler has combined its voting rights in EADS B.V. with those of Spanish company SEPI and the French Sogeade, a holding company owned by Lagardère (33.3 percent) and the French government (66.7 percent), in a so-called shareholder pact, which holds 50.4 percent of the shares in EADS.

The voting rights of the bank and investor consortium will remain with Daimler AG for the time being. As a result, after the transfer of shares to KfW, Daimler will reduce its economic interest in EADS to 7.5 percent and its voting rights to 15 percent. The voting rights of Daimler and KfW are to be pooled in an intermediate holding company.

The German government will now make the necessary preparations in close cooperation with the partners of the shareholder pact.

Daimler AG currently holds an economic interest of 15 percent and voting rights of 22.5 percent in EADS B.V., which is incorporated in the Netherlands and is listed in Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt and Madrid.

Source: Daimler AG

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