Lamborghini's pushing to ring up 3,000 sales per year, about 500 more than they currently move. Were they to drop a new Miura, revived LM002, or some other new model, they'd likely reach that target without any problem. Lambo Capo Rupert Stadler isn't in favor of spending the considerable development dollars it would take to bring a new model to market. Before coming out with a new car, it's more prudent for Lamborghini to sell its capacity of Murcielagos and Gallardos first.
So, if you're not coming out with a new car, but you want to move more units, what's an automaker to do? We somehow doubt that LP640s and Reventons will be showing up in rental fleets, and there's no such thing as incentives when it comes to supercars, so that strategy's out, too. Extra-special editions of the already special Italian cars, like the Murcielago SV and Superleggera versions of both vehicles should entice more buyers to pony up. If that doesn't work, they could always have a "push, pull or tow" event.
Follow the read link for a Google-translated version of the original story.
[Source: Caradisiac]
GM shrinks Volt's gas tank, range drops from 600 to 360 miles
MINI dealers to sell Alfa Romeos in the U.S.
Honda to reveal OSM open-top concept in London
With crisis looming, GM may unveil Volt for 100th anniversary
Next BMW M5 will nix V10 in favor of twin-turbo V8
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Lincoln MKS
Track Test: 2008 Roush 427R Trak Pak Mustang
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Cayman S
First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Hard Top
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Boogster @ Dec 4th 2007 9:50AM
Now that is going to be harder than I thought!
Zane @ Dec 4th 2007 10:01AM
Gifts from Santa, anyone? :)
DCragtop @ Dec 4th 2007 10:25AM
hmm...$1-2million dollar cars at low production volume, like the one pictured in this blog, should really help them achieve this goal. My Gallardo is on order, so that's only 2,9999 left to meet that goal...snnkk.
rgseidl @ Dec 4th 2007 10:39AM
They don't say where they expect the extra volume to come from. Since part of the appeal is exclusivity, they may have to increase their sales in places like Russia and even China.
There's a good chance that Porsche is already making its influence felt here, by insisting on improved capacity utilization (i.e. higher margins). Mad Lambos and sensible Porsches appeal to very different customers, so I doubt this is a veiled attempt to keep Lambo small.
Remember, both Porsche and Lamborghini have suffered financial crises in the past. With the dollar sliding, the subprime mortgage mess going into round 2 and the power structure at VW AG about to be shaken up by Porsche, it's probably wise to husband R&D resources in supercar development for a while.
Ben H. @ Dec 4th 2007 10:46AM
Buy one, get one for half-price? =]
Todd @ Dec 4th 2007 11:02AM
There is a "fleet sales" market for Lambo if they just market direct to music companies and their rap video market.
The production companies that make the videos are just renting the same five cars over and over from a local specialty lot.
Lambo just deal directly with the music companies - that'll be 500+ cars a year worldwide.
P.S. Make a big coupe or bring back that crazy SUV from the 80s.
MikeW @ Dec 4th 2007 11:33AM
How about a rear drive Gallardo?
Chad @ Dec 4th 2007 12:22PM
If Lambo ever made a car in the "average income" price range I wonder what it would look like?
bill @ Dec 4th 2007 2:24PM
Lamborghini could entertain selling a percentage of their cars as kits. That would reduce the price and open the market up to those who just can't quite come up with the price of a fully assembled version but who have time on their hands and a full assortment of tools and lifts at their disposal.
EMC @ Dec 4th 2007 5:40PM
Crazy V10 motorbikes anyone? ;P