Germany's Audi has abandoned plans to sell its Italian motorcycle brand Ducati, its chief executive Rupert Stadler said, in a sign of confidence that the carmaker expects to be able to carry the costs of its transformation. Steps to reduce costs by 10 billion euros ($11.8 billion), cut red tape and deepen ties with fellow Volkswagen -owned brand Porsche are "gradually increasing our financial and organizational leeway for the strategic realignment," chief executive Rupert Stadler told reporters.