Ducati Halts Motorcycle Production Due To Coronavirus

Ducati announced this week that it is shutting down production at its plant in Borgo Panigale until March 25 in response to the spread of coronavirus. The storied Italian brand is using the pause to reorganize its production facilities to protect its workers, according to a release from Ducati.

Despite production of bikes being halted temporarily, Ducati guaranteed customer support and said that Ducatisti will still have access to the spare parts that they need during the closure. The production pause was supposed to last until March 18, the company said, but was pushed back a few days to make sure everything is done right.

“I am proud of how Ducati’s workers are facing this difficult moment for our country,” Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali said. “My thanks go to all those who, on a daily basis and even in a difficult situation like this, are confirming the great value of a united, cohesive, but also sensitive and attentive workforce.”

Although the production of Ducati Panigale V4 Rs might be idled for now, the brand says its product development and support teams are working remotely and following Italy’s stringent protocols to curb the spread of the disease.

Even before production took a breather, Ducati said it was scanning workers’ temperatures before they could enter the plant, implementing a social distancing regimen for those who had to physically show up to work and having as many people work from home as possible.