Lamborghini already eclipses 2006 profit in first half

Lamborghini, a unit of Volkswagen's Audi AG, reported pretax profit almost quadrupled in the first half to 26.4 million euros ($36.1 million), already eclipsing the record 18.1 million earned in all of 2006.

"The company came one step closer to its target of being the most profitable super sports car manufacturer in the world," it said in a statement on Friday, July 27, adding that last year's first-half profit totaled 6.9 million before tax.

The Italian company is famous for its uncompromising staple of sports cars like the Superleggera, a faster lighter-weight version of the Gallardo whose retail price starts at 161,000 euros ($220,100) without tax.

Fully consolidated into Audi's accounts, Lamborghini's revenue for the period rose over 61 percent to 253 million euros while deliveries increased some 30 percent to 1,239 cars during the first half.

It cited improved brand recognition, an expansion of its dealer network and a young and attractive model range that also includes the Gallardo Spyder cabrio as well as the more powerful Murcielago LP640.

The carmaker, whose Murcielago Roadster has featured in such films as "Batman Begins" and Jason Statham's "The Transporter 2", said its entire production is booked out into the first half of next year.