Ducati takes over from NF Importers in Australia & NZ
In exciting news, after a 55-year-long partnership with NF Importers, Ducati is now ready to take the next step in the markets in Australia and New Zealand by opening a fully owned subsidiary, which will become effective from 1 April 2020. It’s a positive move that will hopefully help see the brand further grow here in the future, with the might of the factory behind it…
Previously managed by a private distributor, NF Importers, Australia & New Zealand have become one of the world’s main Ducati markets outside of Europe but the market has slowed in recent tough years. NF Importers made Ducati a household name here in Australia and over the years cemented it as the most prestigious and desirable brand on the market. With countless racing successes and thousands of motorcycling lifestyle events over the years, the Ducati passion and brand has been truly ingrained in the DNA of Aussie and Kiwi riders thanks to the work done by NFI. But all good things must change, and having Ducati come here directly shows that our market is important to the Italians…
NF Importers started the Ducati distribution in Sydney in 1964, expanding the network throughout the years up to 24-dealerships that today cover the entire continent as well as New Zealand. After 55-years of partnership, NF Importers and Ducati together decided to make a step forward.
2016 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro
By planning to maintain full control of all their directly owned dealers in Australia, NF Importers aim to further enhance its focus on the retail and the direct contact and relationship with customers, while business operations will be taken over by the new Ducati subsidiary, with the objective of further strengthening Ducati’s brand positioning as well as the quality of services and activities here.
“I believe that we have represented the Ducati brand very successfully in good and bad market conditions since 1964 and have established the Ducati brand as one of the predominant prestige motorcycle marques in Australia and more recently New Zealand.
“We have built the brand together with our Ducati friends from virtually nil in this country to where it is today. We have put an estimated 55,000 Ducati motorcycles into the Australian and New Zealand markets, we have consistently been one of the highest achieving countries in terms of market share and we have built a large and loyal band of Ducatisti” – Warren Fraser, Director, Ducati ANZ.
“Australia and New Zealand have always been key strategic markets for Ducati and we believe that it is the right moment to enhance our presence by investing in a National Sales Company. Ducati received from Australia some of our greatest heroes, Troy Corser, Troy Bayliss and Casey Stoner, and it is time for us to return the favour to the market.” – Francesco Milicia, VP Global Sales and After Sales.
The new Ducati subsidiary will be under the leadership of Sergi Canovas, who comes from a long experience in the motorcycle industry.
“I am extremely happy and honored to take this responsibility. Ducati has been well represented by NF Importers and I am looking forward to continue the fruitful relationship with them on the retail side. Establishing the subsidiary in Australia and New Zealand will assert the brand’s DNA and values of Ducati, translating them into an enhanced experience for all our Ducatisti across Australia and New Zealand” – Sergi Canovas, Managing Director Ducati Australia and New Zealand.
Sergi Canovas – Managing Director Ducati Australia and New Zealand)
October 2, 2019
About time Ducati step in and take control. NFI and Frasers helped Ducati come to ANZ but they have dropped the ball and people are screaming out for better customer service experiences. No one is loyal to Frasers or NFI cause they aren’t loyal to their customers.
November 27, 2019
Ducati has finally discovered Australia. Hopefully sales, spares and service will improve because going to Frazers was a mistake I would not care to repeat.
January 5, 2020
Positive move by Ducati if it provides its customer base with more Ducati dealerships, improved customer services and I look forward to ditching Frasers WA who have been nothing but grieve from the day I updated my M696.
January 8, 2020
Hi John, yes agreed fingers crossed customer service improves and the brand grows here. I’ve been contacted by Ducati on the media side of things and it sounds positive on that front. Great bikes, so hopefully this is a good change. Jeff.
January 21, 2020
Hello Jeff
Could you update us more?
Will Ducati open and run their own dealerships, have clear and listed servicing pricing standard across the different dealerships, have better model availability and/or lower prices, longer warranty like in the US, etc?
February 8, 2020
Will buy my first new Ducati since 2009 from what I considered the best shop in Australia -Ducati Noosa before he lost his dealership. Swore I would never buy another new Ducati until they got rid of the midddleman. I will place my first order April the second. Maybe now every dealership will be on a level playing field.
February 10, 2020
Hi there – no more info has come out, aside from some contact direct from Ducati to discuss media relationships. I guess we will find out more after the takeover in April. Jeff.
February 20, 2020
Great news for anyone who ever tried to get a phone or email answered by NF Importers and Frasers.
Looking forward to a better Ducati after sales, parts and service experience.
April 26, 2020
Let’s hope it’s better days ahead however Ducati have their work cut out for them in Australia after years of tight arse policy from NFI’s CEO by alienating his loyal, repeat Customer’s, in not providing good After Sales & Customer Service. That’s probably a bit harsh, when for all I know, maybe Italy haven’t been supportive of NFI in the Warranty department but the bottom line is, that for long time now, if you bought a Ducati in Australia & had problems with it, no matter how big or small, you’ve had to fight tooth & nail to get good Customer Service & till now that buck has stopped with 1 man. Let’s see if things improve now he’s gone.
April 28, 2020
Let’s hope so Rob. Time will tell… There’s not a lot happening on the media front yet but COVID-19 would have put a big stop to a lot of progress… Jeff.
May 19, 2020
Good riddance to NF IMPORTERS!! I’m glad that Ducati has seen that they don’t do the brand any good! Next I hope they sort out Ducati Melbourne and there bad customer service and bad culture that store has got.
July 7, 2020
Hi I have placed an order for the new v4 street fighter and was wandering when the shipments are due in Australia
August 4, 2020
I went into Ducati Melbourne just before covid-19 when they had moved to their new premises in South Melbourne. I was looking at a v4 Panigale S, but after looking at all the bikes, sitting on a v4 and trying to get one of the two salesmen to help I walked out and spent my money on an Aprilia v4 1100 factory! The salesmen were just casually chatting about nothing to each other with one guy in an office looking at me 3 times and doing nothing! I thought if this is what they are like now when I want to buy a $40k+ bike, what happens when I have issues! Have always loved Ducati but there is no such thing as customer service, NFI (No Fu$$ing Idea) and Frazers have had the Ducati market closed for too long! Welcome Ducati, I can help you sell double the bikes these clowns have sold.
August 25, 2020
Ducati Australia are making a mess of this, watch this space as sales and service disappear. Dealers are already telling Ducati to get stuffed. Ducati head office (Italy) need to step in before Ducati Australia completely ruin the brand
. Hopeless
September 7, 2020
Better Days Ahead , count me in…
Put dollars down on V4 Streetfighter over 12 mths ago.
Received a call late August advising bike was uncrated on floor ready for collection……
Heres the CLANGER!
Sales manager said it has to be viewed and signed in person for reasons of Warranty?????
Uh ah, no way mate, its Blinking COVID, Im in Far North Queensland and it is a 4 week exercise in quarantine at my expense to cross & re enter boarders , was my response.
After offering 3 solutions to Sales rep of – (1) signing a statutory declaration based on photos or (2) having a third party view bike in lieu , (3) shipping bike to Queensland to view, All suggestions to resolve in a fair and reasonable manner were rejected.
Subsequent conversation with GM and situation remains unresolved , with stance that bike needs to be collected in person remaining their only offering in resolution.
Contacted one of their other franchises , and was told by sales manager that they would gladly sell me bike with out
requirement to attend in person and transport to direct to my door in Queensland. Bugger that they do not have the V4 in stock on floor! and Double Bugger that im getting conflicting answer from the same Importer.
So , here i am , still no bike, despite putting Cash down and no T&C stated when deposit lodged about stance that bike needs to be collected in person. with no other option available….
Would appear Customer service , is not in their vocabulary!
Have written to GM Ducati Holdings Australia today hoping to get resolution.
September 12, 2020
I ordered a new Streetfighter V4S months back, deposit paid still no VIN number and no delivery date. Useless service not happy NZL client
September 16, 2020
Hi BJ, we followed this up for you with Ducati ANZ and understand they arranged delivery of the bike. Let us know. Hope you enjoy the ride and the experience of ownership!
September 25, 2020
Boris,
appreciate follow up….
all sorted. Bike on way.
Corro to Ducati Italy then through Ducati holdings OZ resolved circumstance.
Ducati OZ and Italy very prompt in assisting with Importer non passé.
Cheers
September 25, 2020
Jeff,
apology , response addressed to Boris. not yourself.
Regards
September 28, 2020
Glad it is all sorted. I think you will see a big change in Ducati service in the future. Having dealt with Frasers as press for the past 20-years, it has been mostly OK, however, the past few years we have had serious issues with them and it seems we are not alone and it goes from management right down the line to sales and workshop services, judging from feedback here. Ducati motorcycles, we all know how good they are, personally I will continue to test and have a passion for Ducati, but I won’t step foot in a Frasers dealership again now that I have a choice. Jeff.
October 1, 2021
I just purchased a 2021 streetfighter v4s from day 1 the bike has had major problems runs like a pig dog 3000rpm & below, Sunstate Motorcycles don’t seem to be able to fix the problem and Ducati Australia that’s a joke try and ring them nobody answer’s and nobody returns your call , you buy the bike and your left to work out any problems yourself very unhappy customer .
October 7, 2021
Sorry to hear Graeme. I have a good mate that just bought one in Perth, he literally took it home the other day. I’ll let you know if he has similar issues. Hope you can work it out. I understand your frustrations with contacting Ducati ANZ too!
May 10, 2022
I ordered a Multistrada V2S in November 2021 with a nominal delivery of 15 April 2022. When that date passed I asked Corse Motorcycles for an updated delivery, which has been indicated as early June.
Problem is that, despite my confidence being very high in the people at Corse, I have a very low confidence level in the delivery being promised by Ducati Australia. I cannot understand why I cannot be told exactly what point my bike is in the delivery process.
My suspicion is that Corse are asking for the exact delivery situation but Ducati are not providing the answer. Am I being unreasonable to ask where my order is?
May 16, 2022
Hi Stephen,
Sorry to hear about your experience. We understand in a way, although we have not parted with our hard earned, we have not been able to get Ducati press bikes to test since late 2020. We have only just been offered some models, so I’d say they are feeling the stock shortage badly, like most brands. It is certainly a tough time to buy a bike for all involved. Good luck I hope you get your V2S before Winter hits.
June 5, 2022
Nothing is changing, my 959 has the spontaneous cracked tft display at 8900 ks.
Ducat BS say brake fluud the cause. As new looking screen after ride, put it in shed then voila 5 cracks in display mext day!
Not in warranty but crap to not admit fault in manufacturing.
Same old story.
July 24, 2022
I don’t own a Ducati but bought a bike from Fraser’s Newcastle about 40 years ago and the comments confirm nothing has changed with Warren Fraser since then. Don’t know why Ducati didn’t give Fraser’s the flick long ago.