Click above for high-res gallery of new pics of the LP560-4
It seems that well-to-do individuals who grew up staring at Countach posters on their bedroom walls are still finding a way to fulfill their childhood fantasies. Both sales and profits are up at Lamborghini, with most of the increases coming from emerging markets, including the Middle East, China and Hong Kong. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann believes that the key to its recent sales successes is its policy of producing fewer vehicles than it believes it can sell, thereby keeping demand high. Winkelmann also noted that costs go down as production goes up, a further boon to increased profitability.
With Lambo's latest Gallardo LP560-4 about to hit its 114 dealerships, the second half of the year is already shaping up quite nicely. Ridiculously expensive options with high profit margins like $19,000 carbon-ceramic brakes are sure to help the bottom line too.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TTurbo @ Jul 25th 2008 6:47PM
FYI, Hong Kong is not an emerging market.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong
Zane @ Jul 25th 2008 6:50PM
They probably meant "emerging" in the context of sales of high-end cars, not economic development.
2004m3driver @ Jul 25th 2008 7:09PM
Hong Kong has one of the highest concentrations of Rolls Royces. Capitalism basically kicks ass there. Like how that peninsula hotel bought 14 phantoms for its fleet.
Zane @ Jul 25th 2008 7:26PM
2004m3driver: According to the BW article (referenced below), RR sold 26 cars in HK last year compared to global sales figures of 1060. That's less than 3% of it's sales. When you look at the number of millionaires out there (95,000 according to http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/business/news/article_1413615.php) and discount the order of 14 Rollers placed by that hotel, it's apparent that there's room for improvement (
tankd0g @ Jul 26th 2008 9:43AM
3% of it's world wide sales in ONE city? That sounds like a candidate for the highest concentration to me.
DigitalScrap @ Jul 26th 2008 4:10PM
The US is still the largest market for Rolls, followed by Britain. Japan was 3rd, but China has now taken that spot. Rolls sold 322 cars in the US last year, but it is in fact true that HK has the most Rolls per capita.
bulldozing @ Jul 25th 2008 7:49PM
"Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann believes that the key to its recent sales successes is its policy of producing fewer vehicles than it believes it can sell, thereby keeping demand high. Winkelmann also noted that costs go down as production goes up, a further boon to increased profitability."
Goodness! What amazing ideas! You'd think this man went to some kind of business school or something.
bulldozing @ Jul 25th 2008 7:50PM
"Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann believes that the key to its
recent sales successes is its policy of producing fewer vehicles than
it believes it can sell, thereby keeping demand high. Winkelmann also
noted that costs go down as production goes up, a further boon to
increased profitability."
Goodness! What amazing ideas! You'd think this man went to some
kind of business school or something.
bulldozing @ Jul 25th 2008 7:51PM
Stupid double post. Sorry.
hydrogenvodka @ Jul 25th 2008 10:27PM
Triple, then...
Joce03 @ Jul 25th 2008 8:20PM
I wonder how much of Lamborghini's success is thanks to the improved quality of their vehicles - which is thanks to parent company VW? Not that I'm complaining! Cause I'm not!
J M C 3 @ Jul 26th 2008 9:09AM
It's a great combination.Italian exotic with German engineering.
Makes You wish Germans would do more exotics along the lines of Ferrari and the upcoming Mercedes gullwing.
I think the gullwing will infuse the brand with the passion usually reserved for Ferrari type cars.
paul34 @ Jul 25th 2008 9:57PM
Perhaps one day, I will be able to boost their yearly earnings report. And also buy a Countach poster, since I never had one as a kid.
MONTE @ Jul 26th 2008 1:38AM
Now they just need to make it to where a $200k car can do more than 2 drag race starts without being pictured on the back of a roll-back with a smoked clutch.
accelerating_cubicle @ Jul 26th 2008 1:13PM
Good to know the rich people are unaffected by this down economy, yay, they can still afford the lamborghini....
..good to know....