Automobili
Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann has
confirmed the importance placed by Lamborghini on the
Chinese market, as the Italian super sports car marque
attends the Beijing Motor Show this week.
“China provides an
extremely strong opportunity for market growth: we have an
objective to triple our annual sales in the region this
year,” said Winkelmann. “We are in the process of
establishing and developing our dealer network in China with
highly professional and committed partners, ensuring the
comprehensive representation necessary in this region to
respond to the ever-increasing demand for the Lamborghini
marque.
Lamborghini
currently operates three dealerships in China: in Beijing,
Shanghai and Guangzhou, plus a further franchised outlet in
Hong Kong where sales are also set to double in 2008.
Lamborghini opened its first Chinese showroom in Beijing in
November 2004 in the city centre’s prestigious Oriental
Plaza, moving to new facilities in the Regent Hotel a year
ago.
“Lamborghini has
extremely strong international brand recognition and brand
appeal, with our cars not only acknowledged as high
performance super sports cars, but as highly aspirational
luxury acquisitions. We want to become the most profitable
super sports car manufacturer world-wide. China is a country
where the ‘car culture’ is developing hand in hand with the
luxury goods market, and Lamborghini is committed to
developing the infrastructure and brand presence in China
required to meet our retail customers’ demands," says
Winkelmann. "As in all markets however, we will continue to
protect our brand USPs: one of which is the exclusivity of
Lamborghini. We continue to maintain solid order banks with
a minimum 12 month lead-time throughout our world markets:
the exclusive nature of Lamborghini is extremely important
to all our clients.”
Winkelmann also
recognises that Lamborghini’s own growth will be partly
dictated by the growth of China’s own economy and
infrastructure. “China shows extraordinary economic and
social development. As infrastructure elements such as the
road network develop - essential to the performance car
market - and the demand for high luxury items spreads to the
regions, so too will the growth of our brand and retail
representation.”
providing
a pre-tax profit margin of 10.1%. Deliveries worldwide
increased by over 15% to 2406 units. Deliveries to Asia
Pacific markets increased by 18% in 2007, alongside an 8%
growth for the North American market (Lamborghini’s most
significant) and a 22% increase in European deliveries.
“Our objective has
always been to balance our business activities across these
three markets: North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. In
2007 we met our target development in our Asia Pacific
regions, of which China played an essential part last year
and will be increasingly significant in the future,”
concluded Winkelmann. “China will be one of our overall most
important markets within future years.”
Lamborghini will be
represented at Beijing motor show. The Beijing show will
host the Asian launch of the new Gallardo Coupé LP560-4,
first unveiled at Geneva show in March 2008. The new car
replaces the original Gallardo Coupé first launched in 2003:
with increased power to 560 hp (hence its new name);
enhanced acceleration and top speed performance; new
engineering including engine and suspension; deliveries of
the restyled Gallardo will commence in China and throughout
the world in Summer 2008.
