Lamborghini reported file income in 2020 as its rich clients — particularly in China — rode the worldwide bull market in fashion.

Regardless of a compulsory manufacturing facility shutdown of over two months through the Covid-19 pandemic, the “raging bull” of the auto world delivered 7,430 vehicles in 2020, down solely 9% from the file excessive in 2019. Gross sales topped Euros 1.6 billion, down 11% from 2019, however the firm mentioned income elevated to a file excessive as clients ordered extra dear, extremely personalized vehicles.

The outlook for 2021 seems to be even brighter as hovering shares and asset values around the globe enhance the fortunes of rich automobile patrons. Wealth creation from cryptocurrencies, SPACs, IPOs and firm takeovers has additionally created a brand new technology of youthful tremendous automobile patrons.

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann instructed CNBC the corporate already has 9 months of orders booked for 2021.

“It is a bit like with the inventory markets,” Winklemann mentioned. “The customer’s spirits are up, they can not the wait to the second to get out once more and to take pleasure in life.”

Lamborghini can also be benefitting from the success of its $220,000 SUV, the Urus. The corporate’s whole manufacturing has greater than doubled because it began delivering the Urus in 2018.

Winkelmann mentioned China is predicted to grow to be the corporate’s second-largest market this yr, changing Germany, for the primary time. The U.S. continues to be far and away Lamborghini’s market, with supply of two,224 vehicles in 2020.

The largest problem for Lamborghini, together with different sports-car firms like Ferrari, McLaren and Bugatti, is the tightening of emissions laws around the globe and the shift to EV. With Teslas now about to rocket from 0-60 in lower than two seconds, sports activities automobile firms that rose to fame by constructing ever-faster, louder engines and dramatic designs now must redefine themselves in an electrical world.

On the identical time, in addition they should proceed pleasing their clients — rich car-collectors who love the emotion and really feel of roaring V-8 and V-12 engines.

Lamborghini hasn’t introduced any plans for an EV, however Winkelmann hinted that bulletins may very well be coming in April.

“On the finish of the day, now we have to look ahead to what will occur in 5 to 10 years from now and the way this can change our manner of taking a look at these kind of vehicles,” he mentioned. “We’ve got to anticipate additionally a change of thoughts of our clients and the fans as effectively. It is a very essential second for tremendous sports-cars, the place you must actually set the marks for the long run with out scaring anyone by admitting clearly what will be the restrict for the long run when it comes to regular combustion engines.”

Lamborghini has began dipping its toes into electrification with the launch of its first-ever hybrid, the Sian FKP 37. The super-car, which retails for over $3.6 million and means “lightening bolt” in Bolognese dialect, has a V-12 engine boosted by a lithium-ion super-capacitor. The corporate shortly bought out of all 63 Sian coupes and 19 open-topped Sian roadsters deliberate for its restricted manufacturing.

Winkelmann declined to touch upon hypothesis that VW may spin-off Lamborghini or take it public. Bue he mentioned VW stays an excellent proprietor of the model, given it is capital and know-how.

“Volkswagen Group is the proper match for Lamborghini as a result of now we have the liberty to resolve what’s high precedence for us, so the place we put our cash,” he mentioned. “In addition they have plenty of experience and all of the upcoming applied sciences, that are the three mega developments — electrification, digitalization and for certain, autonomous driving.”

He mentioned self-driving will not be “the large process” for the model, “a minimum of not in the meanwhile, however the different two for certain are issues that are always on our agenda.”