Conversation with Lamborghini CEO: It is predicted that next year's chip shortage will continue to plague the entire automotive industry

[News-Oxcart Network]

In May 2021, Mr. Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, elaborated on the "Direzione Cor Tauri" (Towards the Heart of Taurus) development plan – a decarbonization plan for its future models and the headquarters of Sant'Agata Bologni based on a comprehensive approach to Lamborghini's environmental sustainability strategy.

In the process of electrification of products, Lamborghini will continue to apply unique technologies and solutions to ensure extreme performance and driving dynamics in line with the brand's tradition. Lamborghini's project towards 2030 starts from the overall vision of the company's sustainability strategy, from the product to the headquarters of Sant'Agata Polonni, from the production line to the office. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, environmental protection, sustainable supply chain development, attention to employees and corporate social responsibility are integral components of the strategy.

Recently, Chinatore was invited to video link the Lamborghini headquarters and had a brief exchange with Mr. Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, to communicate in depth on the challenges of achieving carbon peaking, carbon neutrality and product electrification strategies. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and chip shortages are still affecting the entire automotive industry, which will also be an ongoing process. In a harsh market environment, Automobili Lamborghini's sales in the first nine months of 2021 hit a record high. How does Lamborghini achieve production, sales, delivery without being affected? Let's take the above questions to understand together.

Pictured: Mr. Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini

1. Oxcart.com Asks: What are the challenges for Lamborghini to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality?

Stephan Winkelmann replied: According to the development plan of "Moving Towards the Heart of Taurus", Lamborghini's model matrix will be continuously updated. As you know, by the end of 2024, all Lamborghini product lines will be hybridized and will still retain Lamborghini's unique DNA, design and superior performance and driving performance. Our first hybrid supercar will be the new generation of Aventador, after which our entire range of models including the Urus and Huraca n will be hybridized. It is expected that by early 2025, the co2 emissions of the product will be reduced by 50%, which is an important goal for us and will be implemented in the production of Lamborghini hybrid models. Currently, Lamborghini has three important product lines and will launch a fourth product line from 2025 to 2030, namely pure electric vehicles. All of this will proceed step by step according to our plan.

At the same time, we continue to implement our ambitious goal of reducing CO2 emissions under the leadership of our headquarters. Since 2015, Lamborghini headquarters has been implementing a carbon neutrality strategy and has always been conscientious about it. Carbon neutrality has been achieved in Lamborghini's office buildings, on production lines, including on Urus production lines. These are the two core directions we are focusing on, and we are optimistic that we will be able to achieve this goal gradually.

2. Oxcart Network asks: Lack of core is a problem that the world is facing now, how has Lamborghini been affected? And how to solve it?

Stephan Winkelmann replied: Regarding the chip shortage, at present, Lamborghini is still continuing to produce according to its own production plan, and has not been affected in any way. We have observed that chip shortages pose serious challenges to the industry, with some automakers taking advantage of the market by other automakers due to a lack of chips. We predict that the problem of chip shortages will continue to plague the entire automotive industry in the first six months to the first nine months of next year.

3. Question from Chinatown.com: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a very big impact on the world, including the global auto market. According to Lamborghini's statistics, last year's revenue deliveries were the second highest in history, and deliveries in the first three quarters of this year are still the highest in the same period of history. How did Lamborghini achieve this contrarian growth? And respond to the many changes and challenges brought about by the epidemic?

Stephan Winkelmann replied: In fact, I was very surprised to achieve such a good result. In 2020, after the first wave of the epidemic, the market rebounded and recovered rapidly, and people's demand continued to recover. We analyzed different reasons, one of which is that people want to enjoy life after the epidemic and give themselves certain rewards, because the new crown epidemic has disrupted the rhythm of people's lives. Especially after the epidemic, people are more concerned about Lamborghini, more concerned about supercars. Many customers, especially high-end customers, are able to learn about the development status of Lamborghini and other supercars from different channels and place orders. This is also a good market feedback from our continuing operations.

4. Oxcart.com asks Lamborghini how to view the development prospects of China's ultra-luxury market and carry out targeted planning?

Stephan Winkelmann replied: Needless to say, the Chinese market is one of the most important markets for Lamborghini. There is no doubt that China will once again become Lamborghini's second largest single market by the end of 2021. The average age of customers in the Chinese market is lower, and the proportion of female car owners is a very positive signal, and we are actively launching customized projects to meet the different needs of customers. In addition, in China, customers are becoming more and more interested in event sports, so in the future, more Chinese customers can be seen to participate in the experience of event sports.

summary:

By 2025, all Lamborghini products will be hybridized, and carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 50%, which also means that Lamborghini's three product lines: Avendator, Huracán and Urus will launch hybrid models, which are currently in the process of development, in addition, the official also said that it will launch a four-seat version. As for the fourth product line, from 2025 to 2030, Lamborghini will launch the first pure electric model. We are currently actively analyzing customer needs and feedback, which will be a very important project for Lamborghini. How to make pure electric models inherit the DNA of Lamborghini is an important issue.