50,000 units sold maybe not big news in India, but the further you move to the west these numbers have huge significance. This year for the first time Ducati has crossed the 50,000 unit sales mark and the best part is that the year is still a good month away from being over. With the record having already being passed Ducati hopes to set a very high target for itself next year. Ducati achieved this magical figure on November 10th and look good to touch the 60,000 unit mark before the year ends.
We are certain that Ducati will be able to match or even better their current record pretty easily next year. With the EICMA just around the corner and multiple new models that are planned to be unveiled, Ducati sure look stronger than ever. In fact the new models will break cover one day before the actual EICMA opens its doors. This will be at the Ducati World Premiere which will be where all the new motorcycles for the 2016 model year will be presented officially for the first time. Several new models are expected and Ducati has been teasing us with many videos that announce the arrival of new models and updates rather vaguely.
Top on the list of new motorcycles expected for the 2016 model year are the new Ducati Scrambler 400, the Ducati Panigale 959 and a new Diavel Cruiser. There are also rumours of a new 939 Hypermotard. Of course apart from this, all the existing models will also receive minor updates ranging from changes in electronics to colour schemes.
The new Scrambler 400 alone has the potential to really multiply Ducati’s sales numbers. It will be the Italian company’s first motorcycle in a long time that will target younger entry level riders. The Scrambler in general already has an ‘easy ride’ theme to it and couple that with this new 400 cc engine, and you now have a Ducati that is easy to ride and maintain and more importantly a Ducati that will not cost you a bomb.
The Ducati 959 Panigale is the replacement of the 899 Panigale. Do not expect any changes visually to this motorcycle, but expect a slight power bump. The changes are actually to ensure that the motorcycle falls in line with the emission regulations set for the next year in the EU region.
But the most radical of all the expected launches would be the new Diavel Cruiser. A belt driven Ducati is something that we have never seen. The recent photographs of it being tested clearly show a motorcycle that looks like a stretched out version of the existing Diavel and now looks like a proper cruiser with its long wheelbase.
Just a few more days now and in case you want to watch the launch event live, head on to the Ducati website to catch a live stream that starts broadcast on 9 am on November 16th.