Volkswagen Group Africa Saddles Up to Manage the Ducati Brand
February 2025
Effective immediately, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has assumed local management, retail and import operations – including parts and accessories – for this nearly 100-year-old Italian motorcycle company. Ducati becomes the fourth brand portfolio, including VW, VW Commercial and Audi, managed by VWGA in South Africa.
While Ducati’s continued dominance in the pinnacle class of motorcycle racing continues to encourage sales of its Panigale Superbikes, impressive strides made within the ever-popular adventure bike market have seen sales of the Bologna-based brand’s Multistrada range of motorcycles rise to the fore, including more than 13 000 units sold globally in 2024. Also popular is the range of “naked” Monster machines.
“Ducati is a premium international motorcycle brand with a strong and proud heritage. Over the years, it has built a loyal and passionate client base in South Africa, which our company is excited and looking forward to servicing. We are confident that existing and future Ducati clients will benefit from our established sales and after-sales processes, as well as our growing network of workshops,” says Simphiwe Nghona, Head of Sales and Marketing at VWGA.
Ducati South Africa will initially operate out of three dealerships, including the existing approved establishment in Gauteng, a shared existing Audi showroom in Cape Town and a soon-to-be-announced partnership in KZN. VWGA has appointed Tertius Cronje to head the Ducati Brand in South Africa. Cronje boasts 24 years of experience in the local and international automotive retail business. His experience includes 10 years in the motorcycle retail business.
“We have set an ambitious growth target for the brand in its first two years of full operations under the VWGA stewardship. Our target is to achieve a double-digit market share in South Africa by the end of 2026 from the current market share base. The brand growth will be boosted by a range of exciting models to be introduced in this market over the next two years,” adds Nghona.
“South Africa is the ideal environment for our motorcycle range, either for track use, twisty roads or gravel. I am sure that this, together with the passion and professionalism of our new partner, Volkswagen Group Africa, will allow us to provide great experiences to our Ducatisti, allowing us to expand our presence in the country and get closer to their needs. Also, consider that in the country there are some of the greatest collectors of special cars and bikes in the world,” commented Francesco Milicia, Director: Global Sales & After Sales at Ducati Motor Holding Spa.