MILAN, July 31 (Reuters) – Lamborghini’s chief executive says it will sell 10,000 cars for the first time this year, after the luxury sports car maker reported higher first-half profits and sales. He said it was possible.
The Italian brand, a subsidiary of Germany’s Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), sold 5,341 units from January to June, an increase of 4.9% year-on-year. The United States was the largest single market with 1,625 deliveries.
Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann said it was difficult to make predictions due to market uncertainties such as raw materials, but that selling 10,000 cars this year was “a viable possibility.” “Goal,” he added.
“This is not an obligation that we have to meet, but it is important to demonstrate the health of the company and how willing (customers) are to buy our cars,” Winkelmann said.
Buoyed by the success of its Urus SUV, which costs about 200,000 euros (about $219,900 before tax), Lamborghini has ramped up production in recent years, relying on strong demand from wealthy car enthusiasts. . In 2022, more than 9,200 vehicles were delivered.
Rival Ferrari (RACE.MI) is less than 40 kilometers (25 miles) from its headquarters and shipped more than 13,200 cars last year.
In the first half of the year, Lamborghini’s sales increased by 6.7% to 1.42 billion euros, and operating profit rose 7.2% to 456 million euros, a record high, the company announced.
Lamborghini has invested €1.9 billion in the transition to hybrid and electric vehicles by 2027, with further investment expected.
Earlier this year, the company announced its first plug-in hybrid model, the Revuelto, joining its current 10-cylinder sports cars, the Huracan and Urus. Next year, the lineup will be entirely hybrid, and a new sports car will be introduced to replace the new Urus and Huracan.
Lamborghini plans to launch its first all-electric model in 2028, three years after Ferrari first promised, followed by a battery version of the Urus in 2029.
“The key is to be there at the right time when we know we are in the best shape and the market is ready,” Winkelmann said.
He added that the use of so-called electronic fuel is an option, but only for the brand’s sports car models. However, Winkelmann said decisions regarding the possibility of e-fueled models over the next decade will depend on future regulations, not only in Europe but also in other parts of the world.
(1 dollar = 0.9095 euro)
Reporting: Giulio Piovaccari Editing: Mark Potter
Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.