Why Lamborghni needs to be dumped by VW | FerrariChat

Why Lamborghni needs to be dumped by VW

Discussion in 'Technology' started by bitzman, Dec 7, 2020.

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  1. bitzman

    bitzman F1 Rookie
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    wallace wyss
    #1 bitzman, Dec 7, 2020
    Because VW ignored Tesla too long. They dismissed Elon Musk as a crackpot, a PT Barnum (and he is admittedly a showman) But now Tesla is selling well in Europe, while VW is only just starting to sell electric cars. VW plans to make as many as 50 different electric models but is starting years behind Tesla, which means they have to have crash programs to catch up.
    And they paid billions in reparations to countries that took umbrage when they lied about Diesel emissions.
    So the handiest way to come up with millions for developing electric cars (maybe they can't get billions) , is to dump their luxury brands like Lamborghini , Bugatti and Ducati.
    With what looks like a wholesale move of the industry toward electric, the Lambo 12 cylinder and V8 are dead ducks, true they make the cars sound like snarling beasts but even Ferrari announced no more of their cars will be designed by them without at least being hybrid. Lambo is like an exciting thoroughbred race horse but right now they need workday horses that can pull a plow in essence, do ordinary horse jobs not preening race horses. Plus McLaren taking a chunk of Lamborghini's market hurt them. Too many exotics in a too small a market.
    Maybe VW could switch Lamborghini over to hybrids first and go full electric later but it's more important for the firm's survival to get mass market VW electric cars out there in quantity world wide. Their target is 2025. As on Jan. 1st that will be just 48 months away
    And, as for Bugatti--buying that marque was just indulging a whim by a former chairman and it always lost money. They only sold 82 cars last year. They have no reason to live. Ducati is a sophisticated brand but too far afield from cars. No crossover in technology to meet the new challenge, Bentley, there's one worth saving. they've always been the silent marque. why not an electric Bentley?
    As an enthusiast, I will miss Lamborghini. Unless a buyer has enough money to re-do the line, it could die as a marque. But right now it's excess baggage on the VW ship.
    Clear the decks.
    What say you?
     
  2. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    Mar 18, 2008
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    #2 Jedi, Dec 7, 2020
    Buy coal futures!

    Electric cars are here to stay and that's not changing

    Jedi
     
    MK1044 likes this.
  3. JTSE30

    JTSE30 F1 Rookie

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    #3 JTSE30, Dec 7, 2020
    I completely disagree with mention Tesla in any of this. Because it does not fit at all.

    Tesla is completely irrelevant to what is actually pressuring the EU based car manufacturers, it is their own unelected bureaucracy (EU Commission) that is motivating their urgent push to electrification of their product portfolios. (by way of large fines for CO2 emissions)

    And, the EU's actual intention is the complete elimination of personal transport options, leaving only foot, bike, public transport as options.

    Notice EU "city center" discussions are moving toward zero cars, not zero emission, but no cars at all. There will not be a market for Tesla either.

    So, if not for the EU regulations, there would be very little motivation to move the entire EU personal vehicle industry to electric.

    As for Lamborghini, it will have a difficult future as "electric" only, chances are good it will simply be discontinued at some point, perhaps by 2024
     
    JCR likes this.
  4. 71Satisfaction

    71Satisfaction Formula 3

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    #4 71Satisfaction, Dec 30, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2020
    I say do more research and you will uncover why your suggestion wouldn't make sense for VW.

    VW:
    - VW's profits for 2019 increased by a record 22% over 2018, with a record-setting self-reported profit of 19billion Euros. An outside report estimated just shy of 17billion.
    - Yet, you suggest VW can't raise development money for [insert any type of vehicle you want] without selling assets?

    This pretty much ends the discussion, but for anyone wanting to discuss, there is more:

    Lamborghini:
    - 2019 was the best year for Lamborghini on record with over $2billion in sales.
    - Maybe it's a pun on Lamborghini's tractor-making origins, but you think Lambo's product-placement strategy needs to shift to "ordinary horse jobs"? Why do you think clients buy a Lamborghini?
    - You state there are too many exotics in too small a market. Please refer to sales figures above, and look up what brand singlehandedly created the 'Supercar' category. No owner would ever pull a brand out of the category it created.
    PS - You forgot to mention Lamborghini's V10s.

    Bugatti:
    - Bugatti has been estimated to lose close to $6 million on each Veyron they sell.
    - Netted into VW's profits, the Veyron losses don't make a dent.
    - The Veyron is a marketing strategy and technology testbed for VW with the losses written off their income.
    - It has worked just the way VW wanted it.

    Ducati:
    - VW has a history of successfully owning unique Italian brands in distress and building them into international power-brands.
    - Ducati was a long time favorite of VW's chairman F.Piech.
    - The last 6 years have been among the best sales years in Ducati history.
    - Selling Ducati will net VW enough money to pay their weekly employee cafeteria costs.

    Cheers,
    - Art
     
    Manda racing likes this.
  5. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

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    #5 Shark01, Dec 30, 2020
    Giving up Lamborghini would be monumentally stupid as it is one of those rare halo brands that makes money.

    Yeah, dump Bugatti....
     
  6. bitzman

    bitzman F1 Rookie
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    #6 bitzman, Jan 1, 2021
    Art. You are brutal (but honest...)
     

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