You'd never know Lambo was in dire straights living in Miami. I see a dozen Gallardos every day here I hope Lambo does better Wouldnt mind a Diablo GT or a Murc SV in the stable
I to got sucked into this thread, mainly because I have experienced all of this first hand having previously ran a stand alone Lamborghini point in the NY Metro Area. I agree with everything that Roy said but in addition to that Lamborghini as a whole depends on it's dealers to do all of the marketing for the brand and their vehicles. I believe that Lamborghini has their head in the clouds, what I mean is that on the surface they're biggest competior is Ferrari and Ferrari spends millions on Formula 1 racing every year. From the beginning Enzo sold road cars in order to support his racing efforts (if I recall correctly). Lamborghini will never be Ferrari. How can Lamborghini compete with that, even though they do have heritage with models like the Countach and Miura, current upper management fails to use these in any way, shape or form in they're marketing (what marketing). In addition they come to market too fast with new variations of current models which dilutes the value of the vehicles. The LP560-4 was introduced and what a great improvement it was over the outgoing Gallardo and then they introduce the Balboni Edition and now the Superleggera. This is also evident with the LP640, you purchase an LP640 for $400K+ and with all of the variations introduced you lose 50% of the value. This sort of depreciation is unheard of. Now I'm not trying to make excuses for my dealerships poor performance, but our customers at the time were not interersted in taking 30-50% depreciation on their vehicles. On a side note we're all aware of the deep discounts that Lamborghini was offering on 2008 Gallardo Spyder's and Superleggera's and this was due to Lamborghini and the fact that dealers were sitting on inventory. See Lamborghini previously would not allow a dealer to order a vehicle unless they had buyer for it, so what did dealers do, they made up fictitious names in order to secure allocation and have vehicles available and on hand to sell. We know where that got them..... Bottom line, Lamborghini produces great vehicles, they just need to change the way that they do business here. If they don't, we will continue to see dealerships close throughout the United States, I know for a fact that they're not finished cleaning up the under performing dealerships throughout the country.
That's a valid point, but historically 12 cylinder Ferraris have alway depriciated, look at the 400/412, Testarossa, 550/575, 456, etc. But as a whole Ferrari has traditionally held they're value better than Lamborghini. It's more recent that we've seen this increased depreciation, but that has more to to with the financial recession of 2008/2009 than the brand itself.
(As you know) .... It's already two down and two to go in the N.Y. Metro area !! A pretty sad state of affairs.
Can anyone tell me how Porsche and Lambo can be rolled into VW's average car stats across all 10 brands....and then not have to deal with the new stricter co2 and CAFE emissions standards in Europe and the USA? I thought VW could use its cheaper more fuel efficient fleet to off-set the problems at Porsche (and Lambo)...because of the stupid way they calculated the new standards. I remember reading that small cars had to get better mileage because they were small in size. Didn't Porsche fight this and lose?.....this was such a stupid way to set standards. It assumes all small cars are small to be economy cars.
Yes it is, but in the end the one that was the first one standing will most likely be the last one standing as far as I know. Reason being, no stand alone Lamborghini point can survive on one make, you need to be anchored to at least one significant brand as there isn't enough in sales let alone parts and service to support you. One example is Ferrari/Maserati, when was the last time you saw a stand alone Maserati Dealership? Ideally Long Island had the right idea by joining Bently and Lamborghini together, those were two brands that worked well side by side, in addition to being owned by VW/Audi. Too bad they're business model didn't work out.
Lambo will never die. The R8 is a great car but my jaw doesn't drop when I see one. I can appreciate it for its design and engineering but where is its soul? If someone asked what car I drove, Lamborghini just has way more cachet than Audi, afterall they might think i had an A3!
I think even more worryingly is that Lamborghinis are not beautiful cars to behold - they're butch and intimidating looking instead. I'm not sure that lack of elegance across their whole current range (and most of their history) is particularly good for their image. I respect Lamborghinis on a technical level, but I just don't want one. It's not the stuff of dreams for me and wouldn't be worth the sacrifice in the same way that a certain Ferrari will be. It's a marque that seems to try too hard to be cool and I hardly ever discuss Lamborghinis with my friends - I think that's cause for concern if your brand isn't exciting 20-30 year olds, as they're the next decade of buyers in line to hopefully to replenish/maintain your customer base in the coming years.* * I am assuming the average first-time exotic buyer age is somewhere in the range of 30-40 years old. I hope it pans out well for you Roy, I really do - but things look tough for Lamborghini from here on. It's fortunate you specialize in other marques too! All the best, Andrew.
Neuro....Neuro....sigh...I think the Lamborghini design (Diablo, Gallardo and Murci.) are stunning and beautiful with their flowing lines. Aggressive looking, yes, that is what I like. I think Lambo's issues stem from flooding the market and introducing models so quickly.
Thing is... I encounter more young people who want an Audi R8 than a Lamborghini Gallardo. And the video game generations spend more time dreaming about a gismo-packed Nissan GTR than a visceral Lamborghini Diablo. I admit, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I perhaps should not have described these cars as 'not beautiful' - but I would say that elegant is not amongst the first words one might reach for when trying to describe a Lamborghini. As to introducing models quickly... Ferrari does that and still manages just fine, so there must be another reason Lamborghini is not doing well on a commercial level. All the best, Andrew.
When those kids grow up, they will see things differently, IMO. As for Ferrari introducing many models, yes they have as well and those models have seen significant depreciation like Lamborghini. Classic example of two companies doing the same thing and heading down the same road to most likely the same end point. Ferrari has a different marketing strategy and they certainly have a different public presence. Perhaps Ferrari will land softer. In any event, it will be a sad day if Lamborghini disappears.
The real twister of a question... would Lambo be better or worse off, if Porsche had finished buying VW instead?
Personally I like Lambo but also just don't want to own one. I like Ferrari because of F1. And I like Porsche because of their racing and they're reliable But as much as I appreciate Lambo, I can't really relate to why I should own one. The depreciation and confusion with so many similar models -- not my taste. if I had unlimited money and garage space then sure why not. But since I don't, they just don't make the cut for me. But I certainly appreciate and respect it if others have them.
Dear Lamborghinisti, um.....need I say more !? Britni (21) Paige (19) soooo....you really don't want to own one? Shamile Freeze...Miami Vice ! Image Unavailable, Please Login
I have no knowledge of Lamborghini's future, but I do know how much I love my Gallardo Spider and truly hope they continue. For as long as I'm able, I plan to have a Lamborghini in my garage next to my Ferrari.
And the post above is actually a detriment to Lamborghini ownership - if you want to put it with the pretty girls pics, fine, but I did not buy my G to chase women and prefer that not be an automatic association made with owners.
I drive regularly with a group and the cars with us are wide ranging, Lambo F cars Vipers Vettes Porsches Masers etc. NOTHING gets attention like the Lambos, my friend Jeff was asked when he was going to grow up and buy a Lambo as he exited his Scud so I'm not sure what makes you think people dont find them as interesting as an R8 (great car) or a GTR. As for Lambos being elegant they simply arent meant to be. Its a steel toed boot to your automotive mangina, its supposed to be beautifully brutal like a bullfight. If you want lady like elegance and to be a pinky in the air fancy boy buy a Ferrari. If you want a car that punches people in their soul get a Murci, I hope they make it through the recession to lose them in the US would be a real shame. Remember thay are a VAG marquee car so its important just to maintain the brand. They lose money on every Veyron they sell also, like an Apple store is just considered advertising more than a profit machine and increases the value of everything under the VAG umbrella.
