KUALA LUMPUR: Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor of Ducati motorcycle brand in Malaysia- intends to strengthen and position the iconic Italian motorcycle brand in the luxury segment.
The company is also set on selling riding experiences as well as lifestyle products other than motorcycles and accessories.
This followed the unexpected increase in Ducati sales here by 49 per cent last year, making Next Bike the brand's best exclusive distributor in Asia Pacific.
Ducati Malaysia chief operating officer Dennis Michael pointed out that research showed the luxury segment was not affected during the recent pandemic or market fluctuations.
"I you look at the sales of luxury products as a whole, not specifically for motorcycles only, it did not experience a decrease during the pandemic or the economic shutdown. So it is fair for the brand to be in that segment.
"Domestic demand in the luxury segment remains strong. As for Ducati Malaysia, I am grateful to the fans who continue to support the brand.
"It is quite surprising that even during the difficult situation of the pandemic, luxurious models such as Panigale V4 S whose price range starts from over RM190,000 per unit have recorded high sales," he said at Ducati Malaysia's main showroom in Petaling Jaya recently.
Within the local market, Ducati is currently one of the two most premium European motorcycle brands.
Ducati offers a range of prices from the lowest which is the Scrambler Icon Dark at RM56,900 per unit to the high performance and the limited prestige model Superleggera V4 at RM888,900 per unit.
Michael added that Ducati Malaysia's intention was in line with the direction of Ducati Motor Holding, which is to move from the current premium segment to the luxury category.
"Therefore, if you look at the offer, in terms of the specifications of our bikes and the price position, everything is in the luxury category.
"The focus in this luxury category is not just in the price, but the experience. When you buy a Ducati, what we offer is a lifestyle associated with this brand as a whole," he explained.
Michael said Ducati Motor Thailand would organise the Ducati Riding Experience or DRE program in Malaysia from May 29 to 31 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
DRE is a program organised by Ducati Motor Thailand and Ducati Malaysia to provide the real experience of riding a Ducati.
According to him, this year, about 200 units of orders had been made, and he is confident that it will continue to increase in the coming months.
In 2022, Ducati Malaysia recorded an increase in revenue of 49 per cent, of which 30 per cent was contributed by the Scrambler model and another 30 per cent by the Panigale.