With second-quarter financial results rolling in and, save for a few exceptions, automakers reporting lower sales and profits from previous years, it seems it is, once again, good to be at the top of the food chain. The Italian exotic sportscar maker that is Lamborghini recently announced its pretax profit for the first half of 2008 is up 32.6 percent from last year’s levels and its highest ever.

Lamborghini’s global sales grew to 1,309 vehicles from the 1,238 it sold in 2007, thanks in large part to a boost in dealerships that nearly doubled from the 65 in 2004 to 114 this year. The automaker reported to-date profits of $54.8 million, which contrasts against the $73.7 in profits from all of 2007 quite nicely.

“There is no brand that is immune to financial crisis,” Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said in an Automotive News report, “but we always produce less than demand. We are conservative in our forecast.”

He went on to say sales in North America and Europe were similar to previous levels, with the big gains to be had in the Middle East, at 40 percent, and China and Hong Kong.

The company expects revenue to be even higher in the second half of the year, as the more powerful Gallardo LP560-4 is due to launch. Profits are also bolstered by the maker’s recently announced used car program, designer accessory line and a more efficient and cost-effective assembly process along with an internal cost-reduction program.

    Print This Post