Ducati Motor Holding Announces Record 31% Increase in

1999 Second Quarter Sales BOLOGNA, Italy (PROTEXT) - Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH; Borsa Italiana S.p.A: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, today announced record consolidated sales for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 1999. Total sales for the 1999 second quarter increased 30.8% to Lit. 196.1 billion (US$104.6 million) from Lit. 149.9 billion (US$79.9 million) for the second quarter of last year. This gain was driven by strong motorcycle, spare parts and accessories sales in Ducati's principal markets. Second quarter sales of Ducati motorcycles were Lit. 168.2 billion, an increase of 31.0% over the second quarter last year, and represented 85.8% of sales. Shipments of Ducati motorcycles in the second quarter totaled 11,963 units, an increase of 26.6% over the comparable quarter last year, and were led by Monster (+83%) and 996 Superbike (+46%) sales. During the second quarter, sales of motorcycle-related products, including spare parts, technical accessories and the recently-launched apparel line, rose 47.9% to Lit. 25.4 billion, compared to the year-ago period. Performance accessories and apparel alone more than doubled to Lit. 9.9 billion versus Lit. 4.2 billion last year. Although official world registration data are not yet available, selected information and the Company's best estimates for the second quarter suggest that Ducati's motorcycle registrations rose 20% compared to the same quarter a year ago. Federico Minoli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are extremely pleased with the strength of our second quarter top-line growth, which exceeded our expectations during our highest-volume selling season of the year. We are particularly delighted with the performance of our apparel and accessories product lines, the success of which demonstrates strong customer acceptance of these branded products' design and technical functionality. This robust performance reinforces our confidence that we will achieve our stated growth objectives both in terms of motorcycles and related products." For the first six months of 1999, total sales increased 23.0% to Lit. 330.9 billion from Lit. 268.9 billion in the first six months of last year. First-half sales of motorcycles increased 23.1% to Lit. 288.3 billion over first half last year, and represented 87.1% of sales. First-half shipments totaled 20,073 units, an increase of 20.2% over last year's comparable period, led by Monster (+41%) and 996 Superbike (+14%). First-half sales of motorcycle-related products rose 38.9% to Lit. 38.1 billion over last year. While official six-month world registration data are not yet available, the Company's best estimates suggest that registrations increased 17% during the first half compared to the same period a year ago, with particular strength in North America, Italy, Japan and Germany. During the second quarter, nine additional new DucatiStores exclusively selling Ducati motorcycles and accessories were opened, bringing the total to 41 stores worldwide at quarter-end. During the 1999 third quarter, planned store openings include Como and a second Milan store in Italy, Bruge in Belgium, and Braunschweig and Oberhausen in Germany. Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won seven of the last nine 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 its 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 Sales and Shipment Data Three Months Ended Three Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1999 1998 1999 1998 Net Sales (Lire in millions, US$ in thousands) Motorcycles Lit. 168,183 Lit. 128,410 US$ 89,708 US$ 68,493 Spare Parts, Accessories, Apparel 25,432 17,200 13,565 9,175 Miscellaneous Other 2,474 4,273 1,320 2,279 Total net sales Lit. 196,089 Lit. 149,883 US$ 104,593 US$ 79,947 % Change +30.8% Ducati Units Motorcycle shipments: % Change North America 1,462 1,288 +13.5% Europe 9,832 7,593 +29.5% Japan 380 138 +175.4% Rest of World 289 427 - 32.3% Total 11,963 9,446 +26.6% Motorcycle product mix: Sport Segment (Superbike & Supersport) 4,419 5,035 - 12.2% Monster 6,611 3,623 +82.5% SportTouring 933 788 +18.4% Total 11,963 9,446 +26.6% Note: On June 30, 1999, US$ = 1,874.78 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 Sales and Shipment Data Six Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1999 1998 1999 1998 Net Sales (Lire in millions, US$ in thousands) Motorcycles Lit. 288,344 Lit. 234,211 US$ 153,802 US$ 124,927 Spare Parts, Accessories, Apparel 38,114 27,449 20,330 14,641 Miscellaneous Other 4,460 7,278 2,379 3,882 Total net sales Lit. 330,918 Lit. 268,938 US$ 176,511 US$ 143,450 % Change 23.0% Ducati Units Motorcycle shipments: % Change North America 3,003 2,476 +21.3% Europe 15,963 13,044 +22.4% Japan 648 210 +208.6% Rest of World 459 974 - 52.9% Total 20,073 16,704 +20.2% Motorcycle product mix: Sport Segment (Superbike & Supersport) 7,899 7,950 - 0.6% Monster 10,334 7,315 +41.3% SportTouring 1,840 1,439 +27.9% Total 20,073 16,704 +20.2% Note: On June 30, 1999, US$ = 1,874.78 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: Investors - Lynn Morgen, Carolyn Capaccio, or Teresa Kollappallil, all of Morgen-Walke Associates, 212-850-5600, or Caroline Bruel or Catherine Juillard, 33-1-47-03-6810; Media - Michael McMullan or Stacy Roth, both of Morgen-Walke Associates, 212-850-5600; or Madeleine Resener, 33-1-47-03-6810, or Jason M. Jacobs of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., 39-051-6413-222 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