It marks to start of a sales climb back for the Sant'Agata Bolognese brand. In 2010 Lamborghini delivered a total of 1,302 units to customers worldwide which was a ffall from 2009 when sales came it at 1,515 units, but which was partially distorted by the run out of the final editions of the Murciélago. However those two dismal years - 2009 and 2010 - represented a major slide in sales from 2007's robust total sales of 2,406 units and 2008's record tally of 2,430 units.

While Italian sports car rival Ferrari was barely brushed by the global financial crisis, the rug was firmly pulled from under Lamborghini's feet and the company has been working to recover, in particular trimming out costs and laying off staff.

The core growth drivers in last year's improved position included further increase in deliveries of the highest selling Lamborghini of all time, the Gallardo, and the introduction of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 flagship model. The United States and China confirmed their status as the largest single markets for Lamborghini, followed by the UK, Germany, Italy and the Middle East.

“We look back onto 2011 with some satisfaction, as a year of our return to growing deliveries. The year was hallmarked by renewed interest in the Gallardo range, but especially by the triumphant arrival of the Aventador, which established itself as the new benchmark in super sports cars and won more than 30 international media awards for its unique design and innovative technology,” comments Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Lamborghini. “The Aventador has achieved both public and commercial success for its performance, high efficiency and futuristic design. It also clearly demonstrates Lamborghini’s abilities in new technologies, particularly our industry-leading in-house carbon fiber facilities where we are developing and manufacturing applications in serious volumes.”

The current order bank for Aventador continues to account for more than 18 months’ production. Built alongside the V12 Aventador is the V10 Gallardo range: the latest models presented during 2011 included the limited edition Super Trofeo Stradale, inspired by the Super Trofeo that races in the 'Super Trofeo' series, and the Gallardo Spyder LP 550-2 with rear-wheel drive. The Gallardo product line-up is the most successful range in the company's entire history with more than 12,000 sold since 2003.

“We confirm our long term strategy, to make significant investments in key super sports car technologies even in hard times and simultaneously into technological innovation that credits the brand with leading edge technology,” says Winkelmann. “Also as the competence center for lightweight technology for small series production within the Volkswagen Group, Lamborghini is bringing super sports car insight in materials technology to volume brands helping to reduce weight and improve efficiency. In recent years Lamborghini increased investments into Research and Development achieving a rate that substantially surpasses the industry average. At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show we will show a further step in our research into innovative materials and design.”

Lamborghini is cautiously upbeat about the prospects for 2012: "In the current year a further continuation of the global economic revival is expected, even if less dynamic, as a consequence of the debt crisis in Europe and a slightly slower growth rate in the Chinese economy," read a statement issued today.

"Lamborghini has prepared to the utmost level in order to respond flexibly to market uncertainties, but we work to make our business bullet proof to volatility and future crisis and protect ourselves from potential downturns in various markets,” continued Winkelmann. “Given that the relevant economic framework does not change for 2012, we forecast a further increase of our worldwide deliveries, based on the growing success of both the Aventador and the Gallardo.”