- Lamborghini sales were down 38 percent in 2009.
- The Italian automaker posted a net loss last year of $48 million.
- Lamborghini will announce at least one new product a year.
SANT'AGATA BOLOGNESE, Italy — The global economic downturn hit luxury-car makers especially hard in 2009 — and no company more than Volkswagen's Automobili Lamborghini unit, which said worldwide vehicle deliveries plummeted 38 percent, triggering a 41 percent decline in revenue.
Unit sales dropped from a record 2,430 cars in 2008 to 1,515 in 2009. Revenues fell from $654 million in 2008 to $384 million in 2009. The company posted a net loss last year of $48 million, compared with a record pretax profit of $79 million the previous year.
Stating the obvious, Lamborghini said the global recession "caused a sharp decline in demand" for its products, "especially in Europe and the United States."
The company said that it continues to invest in future products, hiking R&D spending by 32 percent in 2009, while strengthening its global brand presence and dealer network.
Lamborghini said it will continue to announce at least one new product a year, including the recent Geneva unveiling of the Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, which goes on sale shortly in Europe.
Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said: "Even in a difficult year like 2009, we managed to maintain the rhythm in developing new products. We increased our core investment plans, thus confirming our commitment to a medium- and long-term growth strategy."
Inside Line says: Look for only modest recovery this year at Lambo. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
