Lamborghini build the 3,000th Murcielago

With GM Holden having just announced the start to manufacturing of the Pontiac G8, it came as somewhat of a shock to this writer that Holden were now producing 620 cars a day at their Adelaide based manufacturing plant. Not bad, for a little manufacturer like Holden.

To get that into perspective, Lamborghini have just celebrated building their 3,000th Murcielago…in more than five years. A rough calculation puts that at less than 12 Murcies per week, which is actually good for Lamborghini and more than twice the output of the Diablo, the model that the Murcielago replaced. In a sign of the booming (until recently anyway) times, more people are splashing out on big ticket items and firms like Lamborghini are riding a wave of sales.

The 3,000th Murcielago will be going stateside and is a Telesto Grey LP640 that has been kitted out with a black leather interior with custom orange stitching, with the same color scheme featured on the seats, instrument panel, centre console and the floor carpets. Lamborghini offer such deviations from the norm as part of their Ad Personam program which effectively allows you almost infinite choice in the personalisation of your new Lambo.

PRESS RELEASE

Lamborghini Celebrates Murciélago Record

Murciélago Serial Number 3000 Goes to the United States

Automobili Lamborghini is celebrating another production milestone with their flagship model, the V12 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640. Number 3000 of the current series will be a Coupe and will roll out of the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory just after Christmas. This super sports car will then be shipped to a customer in the United States.

"Our products continue to build in popularity and presence in markets across the world," said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commenting on the exceptional production figures. "We consider this latest production pinnacle a confirmation of both our corporate and model strategy."

Lamborghini celebrated another record for its 12-cylinder series just a few weeks ago, when the production figures for the Murciélago model beat those of its popular forerunner, the Diablo, of which 2903 cars were produced by the factory during an 11-year period. Lamborghini's development in recent years has been marked by persistent highs and record achievements such as the 2006 financial year being the fifth record-breaking year in a row with 2087 sports cars sold. Another record is expected for 2007, with sales of approximately 2400 cars. Lamborghini's entire 2008 production is also already sold out.

An exceptional car

This milestone Murciélago LP640, serial number 3000, is a particularly outstanding car. Under the exterior of the Telesto Grey-colored carbon fibre body, the passenger compartment has been personalised with numerous special finishes available under Lamborghini's exclusive Ad Personam programme. The base interior color will be black with custom orange stitching with the same color scheme featured on the seats, instrument panel, centre console and the floor carpets.

The Ad Personam programme allows Lamborghini drivers to "think the impossible." The personalization programme offers many options that allow the buyer to imprint his own personal style on the car. The Lamborghini designers in Sant'Agata Bolognese have developed several high-value personalized packages as part of the Ad Personam programme such as exquisite interior packages of leather or high tech carbon.

For the exterior, there is a wide choice of wheel rims, brake calipers and dimmed rear lights that offers still more personalisation potential. Within the limits established by current homologation regulations, Lamborghini can satisfy practically all of its customers' personalization requests. There is only one limitation for the Ad Personam programme: the uncompromising standard of quality must be maintained at all times, by every Lamborghini department.

Growth in a new dimension

The company has expanded into a new production dimension with the Murciélago and Gallardo models. Lamborghini built approximately 250 vehicles between 1963 and 2002: by 2006, these production volumes increased more than eight-fold. During the first six months of 2007, 1239 super sports cars were delivered to customers, meaning further growth of approximately 30%. Today, around three Murciélago and 10 Gallardo models are built each day at the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory.

This success is also reflected in the company's year-end profitability. In 2006, Automobili Lamborghini reached a 346-million-euro turnover, demonstrating 43% growth over the previous year. Last year, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. achieved a pre-tax profit of 18.1 million euro, more than 300% higher than the previous year and this figure will be exceeded in 2007. In the mid-term, Lamborghini not only plans to continue building the world's finest super sports cars that are in high demand the world over, but also to become the most profitable sports car manufacturer.