Filed under: Supercars, Lamborghini, Earnings/Financials

Here’s a profile of Stephan Winkelmann, head of Italian supercar builder, Lamborghini. It comes from The Times and shows us how Winkelmann has put together a pretty solid business plan to help keep Lamborghini out of the sort of financial trouble that has seemingly always been a part of the company’s reality. When Audi took control of Lamborghini at the end of 2004, Winkelmann took some time to think it over before agreeing to take the reins. Although the budget seemed modest, Lamborghini had to remain extreme, in his mind. So while the cars themselves have had to use some shared parts with their corporate brethren, they still have that certain Lambo flair. The company also added signature items to their catalog - clothing, merchandise, and accessories - that have helped spread the name.

Just before Winkelmann stepped in, the company had finally surpassed 1,000 units sold in 2003, but it wasn’t until 2004/2005 that they saw any kind of profit. Last year, they passed 2,000 vehicles sold worldwide and reported earnings of €18.1 million. That’s a far cry from the 1970s and 1980s, when selling 250 cars a year seemed fine. Looks like the Superleggera and LP640 Roadster have made ‘07 a pretty good year so far, too. And there is more to come. “We’re getting serious,” Winkelmann says. “We are not just a toy producer for men. We are a quality car company and the results will speak for themselves.”

Read the whole story to see more details about Winkelmann’s plan for the company. Hint: It doesn’t include a third (or fourth) model.

[Source: Times Online]

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Supercars, Lamborghini

“Regular” LP640 used for demonstration purposes

Jalopnik has busted the lid off the super-secret Lambo supercar that has been little more than a whisper campaign until now. Looks like Lambo leader Stephan Winkelmann has finally admitted what we’ve know for a little while. Up in Monterey we heard people talking in hushed voices about a new $1.5 million supercar based off the LP640, but with styling “inspired by jets.” Winkelmann confirmed those rumors while announcing that we’d be seeing something special from Sant’Agata Bolognese at the Frankfurt Auto Show next week. We’ve heard that although the exterior is rather exceptional, it’s what’s on the inside that really matters the most. Something about a truly innovative dash that has folks abuzz. It better be good to command 5 times a normal LP’s price tag.

[Source: Jalopnik]

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Filed under: SUVs, Government/Legal, Green, Supercars, Lamborghini

How can a company like Lamborghini be expected to adapt to tightening emissions regulations? It’s a reasonable question, and according to the company’s chief executive Stephan Winkelmann, it simply can’t. In an interview with Automotive News, the supercar exec justifies that its production is so limited and its vehicles are so rarely driven that its overall environmental impact is negligible. As such, Lamborghini will not be switching to downsized engines, like Ferrari has been discussing.

Winkelmann also reiterated that Lamborghini is not interested in significantly boosting production, or in developing SUVs or four-seaters. Business as usual, then, for the Raging Bull, and you know what that means: powerful, loud, exotic supercars that you can’t get your hands on… and hopefully, neither will the bureaucrats.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

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Filed under: Motorsports, Supercars, Lamborghini

Click above to watch the video

To the outside observer, Lamborghini and Ferrari may appear to be peas in a pod, and while the two exotic automakers may arrive at similar points, they come from completely different directions. While Ferrari remains essentially a racing team that produces road cars to support their motorsport campaigns, sporadic privateer entries notwithstanding, Lamborghini has never had the same degree of racing pedigree. That may be about to change, however.

This year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance highlighted Lamborghini as a featured marque, and the guys over at Garage419 had a chance to talk with Stefan Winkelmann. The Lamborghini CEO revealed that the company is preparing a full-on factory racing program, and though details are still a few weeks away, Winkelmann said the factory racing effort would start in Europe. Winkelmann also dispelled rumors of a potential RWD-only variant of the new Gallardo LP560-4, as well as a Superleggera version, saying that Lamborghini had no such plans for the time being. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Garage419 via eGMCarTech]

Continue reading Winkelmann: Lamborghini to go racing, no Superleggera planned

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