Lamborghini Slams Russian Partner

Luxury sports car manufacturer Lamborghini decided to end the partnership with its Russian dealership Mercury following poor services and sales performance. The Italian sports car maker informed Mercury about its decision but the Russian group pointed to the economic crisis, saying that this is the main reason for the collapsing sales, Reuters reported. Although Mercury has exclusive rights to sell Lamborghinis in Moscow until 2011, the Italian manufacturer already started looking for a new partner to distribute cars in St. Petersburg.

"Mercury is not focused enough," Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann told Reuters.

"Lamborghini gave notice to the Mercury group," a spokesman for Lamborghini said. However, the Russians could still "show us that a better performance is possible and to show us a clear commitment to our brand," he added.

"The market potential is not covered," Lamborghini said in an e-mailed statement. "For sure, we take into consideration that Russia suffers from long, strong winter and infrastructural challenges."

Mercury is currently selling several luxury brands, including Maserati, Ferrari and Bentley as well as Chopard jewelry. Officials of the Russian group said they were surprised with Lamborghini's decision as they tried anything that was possible to counteract the economic recession and maintain the same sales level.

"We do all the necessary things that dealers need to do," Alexander Reebok, general manager of Mercury, told Reuters on Wednesday. "We are surprised by their decision."

"We are trying to resolve the problems ... Now with the crisis, they (Lamborghini) think it is a dealer's problem, but it is not, it is a world problem ... People are not in the mood to buy cars right now."