Lamborghini is one of the most prestigious car manufacturers in the world. Its backcatalogue of legendary models such as the Miura and Countach is enough to get any enthusiasts salivating, let alone its latest hardcore offerings of the Huracan STO. Autocar recently reported that Volkswagen Group – owner of Lamborghini – has received a substantial offer for the Italian marque. What reasons would VW have to sell? These new investors are offering around 6.5 billion of them.
It’s actually a far more complex situation for Volkswagen, and maybe a nervous few months for Lamborghini. We’ve seen supercar manufacturers fall into less than beneficial hands before, so let’s hope that’s not the case here.
Why sell Lamborghini?
Lamborghini brings a lot of kudos to the Volkswagen Group portfolio as it join other prestige marques such as Porsche, Bugatti and Bentley, however, it doesn’t help VW directly. Sure, it made record profits of late, but it’s a drop in the bucket in comparison to the industrial machine. A sizeable cash injection as a reward for VW’s excellent two-decade custodianship would also help bankroll costly electrification plans elsewhere in the group.
If you think about what Lamborghini stands for today, are bombastic V12 supercars compatible with the future? Electrification is coming to Lamborghini, one way or another, but will silent EVs be as appealing to buyers? Maybe now would be a sensible time to offload the automotive dinosaur before it becomes extinct?
In the grand scheme of the Volkswagen Group, Lamborghini doesn’t contribute as much technology to the forum as others. Sure, the Urus has helped shape other models such as the Audi RS Q8 on the same platform, but Lamborghini’s biggest USP are its engines. The Audi R8 makes good use of the Huracan’s naturally aspirated V10, but the four rings has its sights set on an EV future, too.
Why keep Lamborghini?
As iconic as Porsche, Bentley or Bugatti are, they aren’t Lamborghini. In the domain of public opinion, it’s the only car maker that can hold a candle to Ferrari for notoriety, and that’s quite an asset to own. It might not make as much money as Porsche, but in the world of Top Trumps the Germans can’t touch it.
Speaking of money, 2020 was Lamborghini’s most profitable year in its history. The global pandemic didn’t slow the charge of the Raging Bull with its Urus SUV and strong demand in China boosting the financials. It delivered 7,430 cars last year, not bad for a supercar manufacturer at all. While the vast sum of money being offered for Lamborghini is tempting, there might be little other reason to get rid of a profit making company.
While electrification could be a head ache for Lamborghini, it could also be a blessing. With EVs being more anonymous than their combustion counterparts, design and theatre will play a bigger role. A Lamborghini is partially defined by a striking look, something that could give it an edge.
If you were a betting man?
The current situation with the £6.5 billion offer is that it’s exactly that. Just an offer. Officially speaking Volkswagen aren’t looking to sell, and we’d hedge our bets on the bull sticking with VW for the foreseeable future.
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Keyword: Is Lamborghini for sale?