Lamborghini CEO dismisses Chinese brands as a threat… for now
The boss of Lamborghini is confident that the rising tide of Chinese car brands won’t take away its sales, at least in the immediate future.
Lamborghini has managed to weather the storms of oil crises, global financial turmoil and an uncertain future with emissions regulations, and its CEO believes China doesn’t pose an immediate threat to its business, either.
Speaking to Auto Express at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann was asked to comment on the Denza Z, an upcoming 1180kW supercar, made by the luxury arm of Chinese giant BYD.
“We don’t see this as a threat,” Winkelmann said unequivocally.
When asked why he’s not worried about China’s car industry coming for the likes of Lamborghini, he added, “Because they are doing electric cars”.
“And if we say we are not doing electric cars for a reason, then there is also an idea behind how we look at our Chinese competitors or Chinese manufacturers.”
“[China can’t compete] on the performance of our cars, the sound and the emotion”.
The past few years have seen a rise in China’s overall car industry, giving some of its big players enough money to now throw behind flagship products, such as the Denza Z and Yangwang U9 (both from BYD brands).
Meanwhile, GWM is currently developing a twin-turbo, mid-engined V8 supercar, which it is targeting to underpin a GT3 racer to have a crack at Europe and America’s finest.
This someday may present a threat to Lamborghini – which has two plug-in hybrid supercars in its lineup, the V8 Temerario and the V12 Revuelto – something which Winkelmann admitted to, noting: “I always say, never say never.”
However, Lamborghini seems to be happy waiting for the competition to come to it, rather than take on the electric supercar market, having earlier this year delayed its first EV.
When Lamborghini uncovered the Lanzador concept in 2023, it was planned to go into production as the brand’s first EV in 2028… a date which was later revised to 2029, and then put into limbo, before being axed entirely earlier this year, with a PHEV to take its place.
Jordan Mulach
“I’m feeling very well about the decision,” Winkelmann told Auto Express about the decision to make the Lanzador a PHEV instead of an EV.
While specific details on the PHEV’s powertrain are yet to be announced, the executive said Lamborghini will build engines “for as long as possible” - suggesting the V8 and V12s in its wider lineup are safe for now.
The executive added an EV may still one day join Lamborghini’s lineup, but just when that will happen is still up in the air.
