With Volkswagen Blood, Lamborghini Looking to Produce "Everyday" Model

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann, speaking at the Reuters Global Luxury and Fashion Summit in London, indicated that the iconic automotive company would soon produce an 'everyday' car. "We are going to have a third model. It has to be an everyday car. We want to have a car which is able to be used on a daily basis." What that means, exactly, is anyone's guess. Some, considering the recent forays of Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche into 4-door territory, see Lamborghini making a move into - gasp! - functionality. Indeed, avid car fans have found it difficult to ignore. Tradionalists point toward a move away from the racing pedigree, but even companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini must consider alternative offerings for buyers who want a throaty V12 engine, but have more than two bags of groceries to buy. Further, it cannot be ignored that Lamborghini is owned by a corporate parent: Volkswagen AG. While VW likely respects the Italian company's heritage and culture, profit will always be the underlying driver. Winkelmann indicated that Lamborghini could sell around 1,500 cars this year, compared with 1,302 in 2010. "We will be growing but on a level which for the time being is not so important for us as the fact we are building up a new order bank," Winkelmann noted. Be on the look out for a third model added to the Lamborghini line up soon. You can be sure that the Italians won't take such matters lightly.