Santa Monica Lamborghini: Say ‘Ciao’ to the new neighbors

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In a move that makes absolutely perfect sense, Automobili Lamborghini is setting up its North American base in sunny Santa Monica. The company’s CEO, the impeccably attired Stephan Winkelmann, admitted that the Italian headquarters would have to wait until the afternoons to phone its U.S. operation, but called this “the best decision.”

Although the East Coast was also in the frame for a time, California got the nod because it is “where the future trends are. It’s where our PR agency is. It’s where many of our buyers are,” says Winkelmann.

He can say that again, Californians buy more Lamborghinis than Italians or Germans, about 30% of all the company’s U.S sales, helping it make a pre-tax profit of about $72.8 million in 2007. Which is the rosiest the corporate coffers have ever looked. Oh, and there’s a more powerful Gallardo just coming out -- the LP560-4 Gallardo.

-- Colin Ryan