The Evolution of Lamborghini has so much innovation. It sets itself apart as carmaker that grabs your interest and doesn’t let go. Apart from the renaissance, football team, pizza and the artists it produced, Italy is also known for the automobile that most people long for. When people are asked what car, they would buy if won a lottery, many people’s response would be Lamborghini. This Italian car is known for its speed, power, elegance and especially its unique features. On April 28, 1916, Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of the company that bears his name, is born in Italy in a family of grape farmers. He was obsessed in mechanics, especially in automobile engines as he was surrounded by agricultural machinery. It led him to Fratelli Taddia technical institute.
The Start of Evolution of Lamborghini
During World War II he was drafted by Royal Italian Air Force. He was assigned as mechanic to garrison at Greek island Rhodes. When British captured the island, he was given a task to work on automobiles. When Lamborghini returned Italy in 1946, he began producing and selling tractors, where the evolution of Lamborghini sowed its seed. He first built a tractor in 1948 and named it Carica. In due course he built small, well-built, powerful tractors and offered them cheap. Soon Lamborghini stood out in the market. By 1951 Lamborghini Trattori onboarded 30 employees. By 1960s, around 400 employees worked at the company. The production also escalated in time. He also dilated his business by manufacturing and designing air conditioning and heating systems. Lamborghini though known as great mechanic; he was said to be a “bad driver.” He became wealthy entrepreneur and as car lover he bought many cars.
Never Insult a Tycoon
He owned a 250 GT Ferrari, and he complained about it to Enzo Ferrari in person as it had technical issues. As stated in an interview which was published in 1991 by a British magazine, Lamborghini was insulted by Enzo Ferrari. When he complained of a weak clutch in a car that he had bought: “Lamborghini, you may be able to drive a tractor, but you will never be able to handle a Ferrari properly.” said Enzo Ferrari. The valorous decision to start his own company brainstormed there. He vowed to make the best sports car in Italy. In 1963, the automobile Lamborghini was founded. The company’s first model was designed and built (Lamborghini 350 GT) in just 4 months and was released in the mid-1960s. It was noted for the refinement, power and comfort.
Lamborghini gained acclaim in 1960 for the Miura sports coupe air. It established rear-mid engine, rear-wheel drive as the standard layout for high performance cars of the era. Many Lamborghini models were reviewed better than counterpart Ferrari and Lamborghini took off. Fig.1 shows the evolution of Lamborghini over the years. Thus, if there was no Ferrari, there would have been no Lamborghini! In the company’s first 10 years it grew like hotfoot. However, the sales plunged following the 1973 oil crisis in stock market crash during which time people were looking for cheaper, more fuel-efficient cars. Prior to 1973 Ferruccio Lamborghini and his companies were already facing financial difficulties. Lamborghini Trattori ran into trouble when South African importer cancelled all its orders in 1971.
The Hefty Blow
To harden the financial blow in Bolivia the new military government cancelled large order of tractors that was being prepared for shipment in Genoa. Trattori unionized employees could not be laid off-putting even more strain on the company. In 1972 Lamborghini vended his entire holding in the company to Rival tractor builder SAME. In addition, Ferruccio sold 51% of automobile Lamborghini for 600,000 American dollars. Finally, in 1974 he sold off his final 49% stake ending all involvement in automobile companies which he founded. Today Lamborghini is owned by Volkswagen, the group that purchased it in the 1990s after the company changed hands several times. The evolution of Lamborghini stands out over the years when compared to its competitors because it invests in the future. It is one of the few automobile brands that became iconic all over the world in spite of never being advertised.