Ducati Motor Holding Announces Record 18.9% Increase in 1999 Nine Month Revenues

BOLOGNA, Italy (PROTEXT) - Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH; Borsa Italiana S.p.A), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, today announced record consolidated revenues for the first nine months ended September 30, 1999. For the first nine months of 1999, total revenues increased 18.9% to Lit. 420.1 billion (US$231.4 million) from Lit. 353.3 billion (US$194.6 million) during the same period last year. Revenues from Ducati motorcycles during the recent nine-month period increased 19.6% to Lit. 358.8 billion over the first nine months of last year, and represented 85.4% of revenues. As of September 30, 1999, motorcycle shipments totaled 24,888 units, an increase of 16.6% over last year's comparable period. Nine month revenues of motorcycle-related products, including spare parts, technical accessories and apparel rose 38.3% to Lit. 56.1 billion over last year. The Company's high-margin performance accessories and apparel division posted especially strong results with a 73.5% year-over-year improvement. While official nine-month world registration data are not yet available, the Company's best estimates suggest that registrations increased 16% during the nine months compared to the same period a year ago, with particular strength in Italy, North America, Germany and Belgium. "Our results during the first nine months of the year reflect the ongoing success of Ducati's 1999 strategic initiatives," said Carlo Di Biagio, Ducati's Chief Financial Officer. "We are pleased with the overall revenue momentum that we are experiencing." Total revenues for the 1999 third quarter increased 5.7% to Lit. 89.1 billion (US$49.1 million) from Lit. 84.3 billion (US$46.4 million) for the third quarter of last year. Third quarter revenue from Ducati motorcycles was Lit.70.4 billion, an increase of 6.9% over the third quarter last year, and represented 79.0% of revenues. Shipments of Ducati motorcycles in the third quarter totaled 4,815 units, an increase of 3.6% over the comparable quarter last year. During the third quarter, revenues of motorcycle-related products rose 37.3% to Lit. 18.0 billion compared to the year-ago period. "Third quarter revenue growth reflects the result of a robust second quarter performance which was driven by stronger-than- anticipated-demand," Mr. Di Biagio added. "For the third quarter, though, I am pleased to report the continued success of our 996 Superbike model whose unit sales rose 87% as well as the continued strength of our spare part revenues, which gained 48% versus the same period a year ago. And speaking of spare parts, we are proud to note that Motorrad, Germany's leading trade magazine, recently rated Ducati #1 in after sales service due to improvements in spare parts delivery and customer care. We are satisfied with our performance to date and remain on track to achieve our full-year revenues and earnings objectives." Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won eight of the last ten World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in four market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster and SportTouring. The company's motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. For more information about the Company, please visit Ducati's web site at http://www.Ducati.com. This press release contains statements that are forward- looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, as described in the Company's prospectus dated March 23, 1999. Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. and Subsidiaries Net Revenues and Shipment Data Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, 1999 1998 1999 1998 Net Revenues (Lire in millions, US$ in thousands) Motorcycles Lit. 358,757 Lit. 300,086 US$ 197,603 US$ 165,287 Spare Parts, Accessories, Apparel 56,107 40,555 30,904 22,338 Miscellaneous Other 5,199 12,619 2,864 6,951 Total Net Revenues Lit. 420,063 Lit. 353,260 US$ 231,371 US$ 194,576 % Change +18.9% Ducati Units Motorcycle shipments: % Change North America 3,663 3,500 +4.7% Europe 19,757 16,333 +21.0% Japan 814 327 +148.9% Rest of World 654 1,192 -45.1% Total 24,888 21,352 +16.6% Motorcycle Product Mix: % Change Sport Segment (Superbike & Supersport) 9,810 9,892 -0.8% Monster 12,977 9,554 +35.8% SportTouring 2,101 1,906 +10.2% Total 24,888 21,352 +16.6% Unofficial Motorcycle Registrations: % Change North America 3,631 2,892 +26% Europe 20,781 18,002 +15% Japan 1,129 1,013 +11% Rest of World 2,231 1,939 +15% Total 27,772 23,846 +16% Note: On September 30, 1999, US$ = 1,815.54 Italian lire. On January 1, 1999, the conversion rate was fixed such that Euro = 1,936.27 Italian lire. Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. and Subsidiaries Net Revenues and Shipment Data Three Months Ended Three Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, 1999 1998 1999 1998 Net Revenues (Lire in millions, US$ in thousands) Motorcycles Lit. 70,413 Lit. 65,875 US$ 38,784 US$ 36,284 Spare Parts, Accessories, Apparel 17,993 13,106 9,911 7,219 Miscellaneous Other 739 5,341 407 2,942 Total Net Revenues Lit. 89,145 Lit. 84,322 US$ 49,102 US$ 46,445 % Change +5.7% Ducati Units Motorcycle Shipments: 9/30/99 9/30/98 % Change North America 660 1,024 -35.5% Europe 3,794 3,289 +15.4% Japan 166 117 +41.9% Rest of World 195 218 -10.6% Total 4,815 4,648 +3.6% Motorcycle Product Mix: % Change Sport Segment (Superbike & Supersport) 1,911 1,942 -1.6% Monster 2,643 2,239 +18.0% SportTouring 261 467 -44.1% Total 4,815 4,648 +3.6% Note: On September 30, 1999, US$ = 1,815.54 Italian lire. On January 1, 1999, the conversion rate was fixed such that Euro = 1,936.27 Italian lire. ots Original Text Service: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Jason M. Jacobs of DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING S.p.A., 39-051- 6413-222; or Investors - Lynn Morgen, Carolyn Capaccio, Michele Loguidice, 212-850-5600, or Jean-Francois Carminati, or Catherine Juillard, 33-1-47-03-6810, or Media - Stacy Berns or Stacy Roth, 212-850-5600, or Madeleine Resener, 33-1-47-03-6810, all of Morgen-Walke Associates, for Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. Web site: http://www.ducati.com Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug "PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to be published under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial service providing distribution of press releases from clients, who are identified in the text of Protext reports and who bear full responsibility for their contents. PROTEXT