Ducati Case Prep - KB

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School

California State University, Fullerton *

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Course

449

Subject

Management

Date

Jun 21, 2024

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docx

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2

Uploaded by MasterButterflyMaster1072

MGMT 449 Case Preparation Note Ducati 1)How did Ducati become the second most profitable motorcycle maker? What is the fundamental economic logic of Minoli's turnaround? Answer this question and support your answer by analyzing whether Ducati increased or decreased or did not change its costs, WTP, and price and how? Ducati became the second most profitable motorcycle maker through a strategic turnaround led by Federico Minoli. The fundamental economic logic of Minoli’s turnaround involved increasing the perceived value of Ducati motorcycles while optimizing costs. Key Factors: Increased Willingness to Pay (WTP): Minoli transformed Ducati into a global brand that symbolizes Italian design, extreme performance, and technical excellence. The marketing strategy was focused on positioning the brand as a rider's lifestyle. Therefore, the target consumer base was expanded beyond the image of those who practice bike stunts. Concepts like Museums, Events, and branded Ducati apparel were included in the WTP model that, in turn, enhanced the WTP for Ducati products. Product Differentiation : The critical elements that distinguished Ducati motorcycles were the Desmodromic valve system, L-twin engine, and tubular trestle frame. These features led to the improvement of the performance and style of Ducati motorcycles and, as a result, it enhanced how customers now see the product's value. Cost: The company cut its internal supply chain drastically by adopting even more severe outsourcing, increasing it from 80% to 87%, leaving the key activities such as research, development, and quality assurance to the internal processes. The platform approach made components standardized and contributed to an increase in the efficiency of the business at a lesser cost. The rationalization of the supplier network also improved the quality management area while achieving the objective of flexibility for component sourcing. Premium Pricing Strategy : More to that, Ducati continued to retail at the higher-end market building on its brand recognition strategy. Premium models such as the 996S were priced much higher, bringing in most revenues. Further, the strategies of creating entry- level and high-end models within each product segment helped maximize a firm's revenues. Racing Heritage: Ducati's success in racing, particularly in the Superbike Championship, reinforced its image as a high-performance brand. The transfer of racing technology to production models further differentiated Ducati motorcycles in performance and innovation. 2) Based on your analysis of Q1, what's Ducati's turnaround strategy? identify which is Ducati's turnaround strategy and explain why - 1) Overall cost leadership, 2) Focused cost leadership, 3) Overall differentiation, or 4) Focused differentiation?
Ducati’s turnaround strategy is Focused Differentiation : 1. Product Differentiation: Ducati’s motorcycles were unique due to their technical and stylistic features. The Desmodromic valve system, L-twin engine, and unique sound were core differentiators. The focus on Italian style and performance reinforced the brand’s premium positioning. 2. Branding and Lifestyle Marketing: The shift to emphasize Ducati as not just a motorcycle manufacturer but a supplier of a lifestyle significantly differentiated the brand from competitors. Creating a community around "The World of Ducati" enhanced brand loyalty and customer engagement. 3. Racing Heritage and Innovation : Ducati's success in racing, particularly in the Superbike Championship, reinforced its image as a high-performance brand. The transfer of racing technology to production models further differentiated Ducati motorcycles in performance and innovation. 4. Enhanced Customer Experience : The establishment of Ducati stores, which offered motorcycles, accessories, and apparel, created a comprehensive customer experience. This approach increased customer engagement and loyalty. 3) Can Ducati sustain its competitive advantage? Identify Ducati's sources of competitive advantages and discuss whether rivals can easily imitate Ducati's sources of competitive advantages and its strategy. Ducati can keep its competitive advantage by leveraging its strong brand equity, continuous technological innovation, and efficient production processes. The company's brand, with Italian design, performance, and exclusivity, creates a loyal customer base who are willing to pay a premium price for their products. Technological advancements, particularly those that came from racing success, reinforce Ducati's image as a high-performance leader. Efficient production and strategic outsourcing keep costs manageable while maintaining high quality. However, to remain competitive, Ducati must navigate challenges such as imitation by rivals, technological advancements by competitors, and economic fluctuations/changes. Ducati can maintain competitive by continually investing in R&D, refining production processes, and enhancing the customer experience. Ducati's brand identity, commitment to innovation, and strategic market positioning provide a strong foundation for competitive advantage despite potential threats. Ducati’s brand identity is well-developed, but only to a certain extent, it can be easily imitated in lifestyle marketing. Others can follow the lifestyle and the community, but this is where Ducati has had a head start and has some defences. Also, it’s important to note that competitors with such huge research and development budgets, such as Japanese manufacturers, can quickly overcome Ducati regarding technology development. There is always a need to innovate continuously. Furthermore, the motorcycle industry is rather saturated and is occupied by market giants such as Honda, Yamaha, and BMW. These competitors can create a threat and potentially enter the market for a slice of the market share that belongs to Ducati and bring new products into the market that will be able to rival those produced by Ducati. Lastly, it is important to note that the fluctuations in the economic cycle and consumers' income can affect the sales of premium motorcycles. Due to this, Ducati must continue to be adaptable in the market in order to sustain the overall advantage it has over its rivals.
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