Ducati Motor Holding Announces Continuing Growth in Second Quarter and First Half 2001 Revenues; Updates Year-End Sales Targets

    BOLOGNA, Italy, July 16 Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
, a leading manufacturer of high
performance motorcycles, today announced consolidated revenues for the second
quarter and first half, ended June 30, 2001.
    For the second quarter, revenues were a Euro 120.9 million
(US$102.5 million) representing like-for-like growth of 7.2% over the same
period in 2000.  Total sales were up 5.6% from Euro 114.6 million
(US$97.1 million) during the same period in the previous year. This
discrepancy is due to a decrease of "miscellaneous other sales" of Euro
1.7 million, reflecting the one-off buy-back of inventory by the newly
established UK subsidiary from the previous importer in 2000. Revenues from
Ducati motorcycles for the period increased 7.6% to Euro 103.7 million and
represented 85.8% of revenues. Motorcycle-related products, including spare
parts, technical accessories and apparel, rose 4.8% to Euro 17.1 million over
the comparable period in the previous year.
    For the first half of 2001, revenues were Euro 221.5 million
(US$187.8 million) representing like-for-like growth of 5.2% over the same
period in 2000.  Total sales were up 2.0% from Euro 217.1 million
(US$184.1 million) during the same period in the previous year. This
discrepancy is due to a decrease of "miscellaneous other sales" of Euro
6.5 million, as explained above. Revenues from Ducati motorcycles for the
period increased 4.1% to Euro 189.3 million and represented 85.5% of revenues.
Motorcycle-related products rose 11.8% to Euro 31.8 million over the same
period last year.
    "This quarter we have focused on satisfying the growing demand for our
ST4S and Monster S4 models, and on developing new marketing and sales
initiatives to compensate for the late start to the selling season," said
Carlo Di Biagio, Ducati Chief Executive Officer.
    "These results, however, are not at the extraordinary growth levels that
Ducati has achieved in recent years," added Di Biagio. "Our outlook suggests
challenging selling conditions in the coming months.  We would therefore
anticipate high single-digit year-end sales growth versus last year, below our
15% target.  Despite this re-direction of the top line, we remain confident
that we will meet our objectives in terms of EBITDA margin, as a result of our
focus on controlling costs and improving the production process."
    While official world registrations data for the period are not yet
available, the Company's best estimates suggest that second quarter
registrations showed an improvement, growing around 3% versus the second
quarter of last year.  Registrations for the six-month period are estimated to
be down approximately 1%, with weakness in Italy (-10%), in Germany (-8%), and
in the US (-7%) but with strength in Japan (+53%), in the Benelux countries
(+16%) and in the UK (+15%).
    During the second quarter of 2001, new Ducati Stores exclusively selling
Ducati motorcycles and accessories were opened, including one in Palermo and
Grenoble, bringing the total to 76 stores worldwide at June 30, 2001.
    Ducati Motor Holding will provide a detailed breakdown of sales in
conjunction with its release of second quarter and first half 2001 Gross
Operating Margin on July 31, 2001, in accordance with the requirements of the
STAR segment of the Italian Stock Exchange.  The Company will release bottom
line numbers on September 18th.  Both releases will be accompanied by a
conference call.
    In addition, the Company announced a double win for team racer, Ben
Bostrom, in World Superbike Championship in California. Ben Bostrom (DUCATI
L&M Factory Team) set the crowds alight at the Laguna Seca race track in
California with a double home win in the US round of the World Superbike
Championship, on July 8, 2001.
    Troy Bayliss (DUCATI INFOSTRADA Factory Team) stretched his lead in the
Riders' Championship after 9 of 13 rounds to 276 points, 53 ahead of Edwards
(Honda). Meanwhile in the Constructors' standings, Ducati's lead over Honda
grew to 88 points with a total of 363.

    Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized
by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall
technical excellence. Ducati has won nine of the last eleven 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 our 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
2000 annual report, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on
Form 20-F, dated July 2, 2001.