In a ceremony hosted at the Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan, home to the Italian stock market, Ducati has received the Brand Recognition Award from the UK Government during the UK-Italy Business awards, officially marking the Italian motorcycle manufacturer’s outstanding business performance.
 
Presented by Mr.Vic Annels, Consul General and Director of UK Trade and Industry in Italy, the highly coveted Brand Recognition Award comes in the same week that Ducati UK announced a significant growth in business during 2011, recording sales levels unseen since 2003 and achieving a best-ever market share in the UK’s over 500cc market. While Ducati in Italy increased investment in research and development, Ducati UK invested in purpose-built headquarters at Silverstone circuit to become the fastest growing motorcycle brand in the UK.
 
Representing the famous Italian motorcycle brand, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, Gabriele Del Torchio said: “I am very proud to collect this prestigious award on behalf of Ducati, an award that has clearly recognised the value of a brand which is as loved and respected in the UK as it is all around the world.”
 
When presenting the award, Mr.Vic Annels, Consul General and Director of UK Trade and Industry in Italy, said: “We are delighted to present Ducati with the Brand Recognition Award and equally delighted that such an exciting and innovative brand has chosen to invest further in its UK operation. Ducati has a rich history of success on the track in the UK and we are now pleased to see that reflected in their business also.”
 
UK Trade & Investment
UK Trade & Investment is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. It helps overseas companies bring high-quality investment to the UK’s dynamic economy acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business.
 
UK Trade & Investment offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world, providing companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.
 
Ducati
Founded in 1926, Ducati has been producing sport-inspired motorcycles since 1946. Their motorcycles are characterised by “Desmodromic” performance engines, innovative design and avant-garde technology. Covering several market segments, Ducati's range of motorcycles are divided into model families which include: Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Streetfighter and Superbike.
 
These authentic icons of “made in Italy” are sold in over 80 countries around the world, with concentration on the European, North-American and Asia Pacific markets. Ducati competes in both the World Superbike Championship and, with an official team, the World MotoGP Championship. In Superbike Ducati has won 17 Manufacturers' titles and 14 Riders' titles and in 2011 passed the historic milestone of 300 race victories. Ducati have participated in MotoGP since 2003, and took both the Manufacturers' and Riders' titles in 2007.