The official passage of Ducati to Audi seems ever closer and today a German TV has arrived in Bologna to hear what employees and unions think about the possible new ownership. So all done? Andrea Bonomi, which controls over 70% of Ducati through Investindustrial, on the one hand cools expectations a bit by saying that the deal with Audi "is no longer exclusive", on the other hand blesses the German interlocutor: "There are many groups with capacity, but Volkswagen has shown in the past that it has money, technology and long-term vision". Full confidence, to the point that "we wouldn't mind participating in this phase of growth", perhaps maintaining a minority stake in the company (there was talk of 20%). Certainly "the week is important" and thoughts inevitably turn to the Volkswagen assembly on 19 April.
Who would like to see the Emilian company marry the Teutonic suitor? without too many hesitations, it is the company Fiom: “Today Rtl, the leading German private TV channel, came to our trade union headquarters – says Bruno Papignani – to make a documentary on Ducati and a report for the news. They asked me what we think of Audi, the reddest union, and I replied that we are optimistic. We are convinced that an industrial solution is the right one for Ducati and Audi has done very well in Lamborghini, relations have been excellent, investments have been significant and the number of workers has grown from 350 to 900, all hired in Sant'Agata Bolognese”.
In short, according to the Fiom there is to be calm when the Volkswagen group takes a step like this. “The German model does not scare us. Let's not forget that in Germany there is the so-called Volkswagen law according to which workers cannot be fired and a few years ago, in a critical phase, the company decided to reduce working hours in order not to leave anyone at home. In Germany, a skilled worker earns around 4000 euros gross per month, corresponding to 2800 euros net. A big difference with our salaries, between 1800 euros gross and 1200 euros net”.
