VW to sell Ducati: reports

The Volkswagen Group is considering selling its Ducati motorcycle brand in a bid to fund costs relating to the ongoing ‘Dieselgate’ scandal.

According to reports this week, the German car-maker has engaged banking advisory firm Evercore to evaluate options for its economic future.

Having already withdrawn Volkswagen from the World Rally Championship and Audi from the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans, Ducati now appears to be in the VW Group's firing line. Truck offshoot MAN has also been reportedly mentioned in discussions.

Audi purchased the Italian motorcycle brand in 2012 for $A1.2 billion. Since that time, Ducati has gone onto earn $A852 million in sales last year, a $A144 million turnover and a profit of $A72 million.

Prospective buyers are likely to pay between $A1.4billion and $A2.2 billion for the motorcycle brand, according to reports. Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha could be among the potential suitors, but should a buyer not be found, VW is apparently willing to list the motorcycle company on the stock market.

So far the diesel emissions scandal, in which Volkswagen used illegal emissions cheating software in its vehicles, has cost the firm $A26 billion in fines, compensation and legal fees.

It’s thought the funding would help drive Volkswagen’s renewed interest in electric passenger car technology. For Volkswagen, the sale would only come at the cost of minimal tie-ins with Ducati, such as engine technology sharing.

Volkswagen, Audi and Evercore have declined to comment.