MILAN -- Italy's Benetton family is among five bidders shortlisted to buy Italian motorcycle brand Ducati, which is being sold by Volkswagen Group, a source close to the matter said.
The finalists will be given access to the company's books after the summer, the source said, adding that the offers received valued Ducati at 1.3 billion-1.5 billion euros ($1.5 billion-$1.8 billion).
VW Group's Audi luxury brand, which is the owner of Ducati, declined to comment.
Two Italian newspapers said that besides the Benetton family's investment vehicle, Edizione Holding, the shortlist included U.S. automotive firm Polaris Industries and private equity funds such as Ducati's previous owner Investindustrial, France's PAI and Bain Capital.
Investindustrial declined to comment. Polaris, PAI and Bain could not immediately be reached for comment.
The list of initial bidders for Ducati also included two Indian motorbike firms, Eicher Motors and Bajaj Auto , as well as private equity funds CVC Capital Partners and Advent, sources have previously said.
VW Group is reviewing several assets in a bid to move beyond the emissions scandal that has left it facing billions of dollars in fines and settlements.
A successful deal for Ducati, which had revenue of 731 million euros last year, would show that VW Group CEO Matthias Mueller is serious about reversing its quest for size.
