Ducati and Mercedes in partnership?

[Plex]

The Italian press is reporting that Mercedes is planning a partnership with Ducati in order to enter the motorcycle market. The plan follows the success of the BMW Motorrad division and particularly its success in the Superbike competition. Another German car manufacturer, Volkswagen, has also come to an agreement with Suzuki over its motorcycle division with a view to a possible renewal of the NSU brand.

Ducati recently participated in a co-marketing operation with Mercedes which involved the appearance of the Mercedes SLK roadster at the World Ducati Week event. Mercedes was also the main sponsor of the “WDW 2010″.

Currently the Mercedes-Ducati rumours are merely that, insistent though they are. The rumours have been neither confirmed nor denied by either company, but a collaboration, particularly in racing activities and not product necessarily, could sit well with both companies, although the Mercedes and Ducati images are quite different.

Ducati has previously been the object of the attention of Ferdinand Piech who had expressed a desire to integrate it into the Volkswagen Group. Any possible alliance between Ducati and Mercedes though, could well step on the toes of Ferrari who has numerous partnerships with Ducati, especially with regards to sponsors (for example Marlboro, Shell, Bridgestone and even brakes supplier Brembo).

Eurocarblog