Automobili Lamborghini announces record sales figures, including 40% growth in Great Britain

Automobili Lamborghini SpA has announced record sales figures for 2007, building and selling 2,406 cars worldwide: a 15% increase over the 2,087 cars delivered in 2006. A particularly strong sales increase of nearly 40% was recorded in the UK, with deliveries of 211 vehicles.

North America, Lamborghini's largest market, accounted for more than 1000 cars. Lamborghini's home market of Italy saw a growth of 38% with 134 units sold, whilst total European sales accounted for 959 units, with a growth of more than 22% over the previous year.

“2007 was an exceptional year. This success is the direct result of increased brand awareness and brand image, as well as the increase in our dealer network and overall product strategy,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini SpA.

Since the beginning of 2005, Automobili Lamborghini has strategically increased its global reach from 65 to 107 dealers worldwide. In the UK, there are now four authorised Lamborghini dealers, in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.
“The Lamborghini brand continues to grow exponentially in the UK, with sports and prestige buyers increasingly attracted to the marque for a number of reasons,” commented Dominic Lancaster, general manager of Lamborghini London.  “Lamborghini is very much an exclusive, luxury brand and, as such, continues its success even in light of other domestic economic pressures that may affect consumer spending generally.  Lamborghini's exclusivity appeals to a wide range of individuals, from successful entrepreneurs, professionals, successful individuals in the City, as well as purist sports car drivers who are attracted by the extraordinary Lamborghini performance.”

The Lamborghini range is comprised of five models: the V12 Murciélago LP640 Coupe; the Murciélago LP640 Roadster; the V10 Gallardo Coupe; the convertible Gallardo Spyder; and the lightweight Gallardo Superleggera launched in Spring 2007.

“A certain proportion of Lamborghini customers have been particularly drawn to the marque with the launch in 2007 of the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera,” said Lamborghini Birmingham's sales manager Martin Andrews.  “This is a particularly extreme, lightweight Lamborghini, providing specific appeal to those who want not only the best performing road car in its class, but outstanding performance if they also drive on track. We have seen an increasing number of discerning drivers choose the Superleggera not only as their first choice of road car, but as the ultimate car for the circuit too.”

Lamborghini launched the Gallardo Superleggera at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, with a limited worldwide production of 400 cars.  Weighing 100kg less than the ‘standard' coupe, the Superleggera goes from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 196 mph. With permanent four-wheel drive, e-gear (paddle shift) as standard and a host of other options including tubular frame and harness for the most extreme drivers, the car is acclaimed by road and track users alike. The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera accounted for approximately 14% of Lamborghini models sold in the UK during 2007.

Some of the growth must also be down to the negative perceptions that other rival brands have already suffered due to their widespread ownership - Ed