|
|
|
Postée par admin le Tuesday 03 August 2010 à 10:52 |
Italian super sportscar maker continues highly strategic investment focused on carbon fiber technology
Strong Growth in Asia-Pacific Supports Global Sales for Automobili Lamborghini
- First Half of Fiscal Year 2010: Turnover at 152.9 Mio. Euro
- Worldwide sales at 674 units
- Asia-Pacific Region sees strong increases with a 200% growth in China
- Above industry-average investment into strategic innovation of carbon fiber light weight technology
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. reports a turnover of 152.9 Million Euros for the first six months of the financial year 2010 (which ends 31/12/2010). This value is only slightly behind the level of the previous year´s period, which was 156.9 Million Euros (-2.6%).
In terms of unit sales, the company delivered 674 cars with the raging bull logo, while in the same period of 2009 deliveries totalled 825 cars (-18%). The almost stable turnover is due to a different sales mix and exchange rate effects.
On a global scale, sales are supported by substantial growth in Asia-Pacific. In particular, Lamborghini shows a sales momentum in China that represents increasing global relevance. With an increase from 28 to 86 units, the sales in the Chinese market marked a 200% growth. China is already the second largest market for Lamborghini.
In the same region, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan are all contributing to the strong upwards trend, with some markets growing at a rate of more than 100%. All of Asia-Pacific now accounts for 34% of sales compared to 15,8% in the year before.
The President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann, commented, "As we expected, 2010 is a year of transition for Lamborghini, in which we are positioning the brand for the next steps of its global evolvement. The success of our Asia-Pacific strategy clearly shows the soundness of our global road map. With the traditional markets eventually recovering as well as with the Asian market dynamics gaining further momentum, with new products based on the newest technologies, Lamborghini will come out of this challenge stronger".
Long-term strategic investments and focus on carbon fiber
Winkelmann confirmed that Lamborghini will remain steady on its long-term strategy, investing in the future with product technology and innovation.
Strategically, Lamborghini focuses technological development on the optimization of the super sports car by consistent light weight construction. "The most important parameter for super sportscars is, now as in the future, their weight-to-power-ratio. As there is a limit to power increase due to emission regulations we must work on weight reduction. Extensive use of carbon fiber, even at a structural level, allows Lamborghini to be at the forefront of development techniques", Winkelmann emphasised.
Proof of Lamborghini's dedication to this target is the recent realization of an all new center for carbon fiber research within the company´s headquarters in Sant´Agata, Bolognese. The Advanced Composites Research Center (ACRC) has been established to secure leading-edge research on innovative manufacturing methods for carbon fiber elements for small production volumes. The engineers have already achieved a breakthrough in the production process of composites by combining benefits of several existing methods. Thanks to the patented "RTM light" process, Lamborghini can use minimal pressure and low temperatures in the manufacturing of carbon fiber components to the highest levels of quality, precision and surface finish.
The new ACRC works alongside its partner laboratory, the Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory (ACSL) at the University of Washington (Seattle, USA). The ACSL was opened by Lamborghini at the end of 2009 together with The Boeing Company.
The latest example of the company's successful use of carbon fiber is the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, which weighs only 1,340 kg and whose weight-to-power ratio is best in class in its super sportscar segment.
Investments into R&D and into reduction of CO2 emissions will continue as planned, resulting in continuing technology and product innovation. Lamborghini is implementing a broad sustainability program through different product innovations and technologies: the manufacturer aims to achieve a 35% CO2 emission reduction in cars by 2015. On the production process side, Lamborghini will reduce this year's CO2 emissions by 30% thanks to a photovoltaic system inaugurated last February. |
Commentaires (0) |
Auteur |
Commentaire |
Aucun commentaire dans la base de données |
|
|
| |