How He Made Billions Selling Luxury Cars
The Story of Ferrucio Lamborghini, Sports Cars, and Innovation.
👋 Hello, this is your weekly dose of inspiration and practical guidance. Every Friday you will receive a captivating visual timeline that charts the rise of a successful individual + lessons derived from that.
Ferrucio Elio Arturo Lamborghini was born on 28 April 1916 in Ferrara, Kingdom of Italy.
At 16, he graduates from the Institute of Professional Training Fratelli Taddia in Cento. Then he got hired by the Righi workshop in Bologna, which was the most important workshop at that time.
Shortly after, he opened his first workshop with Marino Filippini, followed by a period in the Italian Royal Air Force.
At 32, he founded Lamborghini Tractors and at 44 he expanded into heating and air conditioning.
To celebrate his success, he buys a Ferrari, but is disappointed. After voicing his dissatisfaction to Ferrari and being told he should stick to tractors, he decided to make his own car.
Success after success soon followed, making the Lamborghini name synonymous with luxury cars.
During his 50s, trouble arrived after Lamborghini Tractors was hit by serious crisis. Due to a cancelled ordered by the Bolivian governement, 5000 tractors were ready and held on the factory ground.
Unable to cashflow, Ferruccio sold his buildings to FIAT, followed by a 51% sale of shares.
After launching the famous Lamborghini Countach LP400, he sold the remaining 49% of shares, retired and focused on making wine.
1 Lesson from Ferruccio Lamborghini
Obstacles are Blessings in Disguise
When he approached Enzo Ferrari with feedback about the clutch issues in his car, Ferrari dismissed him, suggesting that Lamborghini stick to tractors and leave sports cars to professionals. Rather than accepting this Lamborghini decided to create his own line of high-performance sports cars.
“From now on, I make cars” — Ferrucio Lamborghini
His response to this challenge was not just to build a car but to force the automative industry to change due to his speed of implementing ideas and his innovation. His first car set new standards for what a luxury sports car could be and positioned Lamborghini as a leader in the sports car industry.
Until next Friday,
The Chronicler