Lamborghini Closes Largest Dealer

The global economic crisis makes a new victim in the automotive industry, with Lamborghini closing its largest deal in Orange County. Although the car manufacturer refused to unveile the closure reason, Lamborghini officials admitted that financial results recorded by the dealership where not the ones expected by the Italian company.

"The financial stress Lamborghini Orange County is experiencing is due to several unfortunate business decisions made by management at Lamborghini Orange County, independently of Automobili Lamborghini," said Pietro Frigerio, chief operating officer of Lamborghini America.

"Many companies have felt an impact by the current economic situation, but the economy is not the reason for Lamborghini Orange County's financial situation. Though, the economy has exacerbated the situation."

However, even though Lambroghini pointed to the financial situation of the dealerships, Orange County representatives refused to comment on the decision. "I can't talk about anything," Vik Keuylian, owner of the Santa Ana-based dealership, told The Orange County Register.

Sales were pretty good for the Orange County-based Lamborghini dealership, according to the aforementioned source which quoted an interview with Vik Keuylian published by The Register in summer. "This April was better than April '07. Other dealers are turning down cars and we’re picking them up and selling them at a profit,” Keuylian said.

Even though Lamborghini's officials said dealership's sales adopted a decreasing trend, Orange County's marketing department struggled to boost sales by signing promotional contracts with celebrities such as Elton John and Sharon Stone as well as Eric Roberts and Beverly Hills 90210 star Luke Perry. Moreover, customers also included famous names such as the two NBA stars, Kobe Bryant and Dennis Rodman.