He’s back! Lamborghini’s former CEO Stephan Winkelmann is returning to the luxury brand after current president, Stefano Domenicali, returns to Formula 1, this time as CEO.

Winkelmann will become the new president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. from 1 December, 2020, but he will also remain president of Bugatti.

Despite Covid affection production this year, Lamborghini has had a successful 2020, achieving a record September with 738 units delivered to customers in one month and over 2000 vehicles delivered in the third quarter.

Although the company was the first in the automotive sector to close production and offices, putting people safety first, a return to business following the seven weeks’ closure saw a rethinking of its medium-term business strategies. 

The reopening saw the launch of three new models: the Huracan RWD Spyder, the Sián Roadster, and the Essenza SCV12. 

Winkelmann was President and CEO of Lamborghini from 2005 to 2016, during which time he transformed Lamborghini into a global leader in the manufacture of super sports cars. Prior to first joining Lamborghini Winkelmann held a variety of senior positions in the Fiat Group.

Lamborghini models introduced under Winkelmann started with derivatives of the Gallardo and ranged through introductions of the V10 Huracán and V12 Aventador as well as limited editions and one-offs, setting numerous new sales records. 

In 2015 the third model line was announced, the Super SUV Urus, to be constructed in Sant'Agata Bolognese, marking the beginning of a new era for the company.

In March 2016, Winkelmann became CEO of Quattro GmbH (today Audi Sport GmbH) before joining Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. as president at the beginning of 2018.

“Stephan Winkelmann has decisively shaped the history of Lamborghini,” says Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “No one else stands more clearly for the Lamborghini brand, and he is exactly the right person to lead this unique brand into a successful future.”

Winkelmann said it was a “great honour and pleasure for me to lead these two unique companies with their extraordinary automobiles”. 

“I am looking forward to the new challenge. Bugatti stands for the best, most powerful, elegant and luxurious hyper sports cars in the world,” he said.

“Lamborghini is the iconic expression of the most exclusive super sports cars demonstrating outstanding design and innovation. Our creativity in both companies is by no means finished and the world is assured some surprises.”

Domenicali, since joining Lamborghini in 2016, has continued the process of Lamborghini’s transformation, with the introduction of the Super Urus SUV in 2018 and a significant growth of the brand on the world stage.

Having sat next to Winkelmann at a dinner in Barcelona, Spain for the Aventador SV launch in 2015, the charming German told me how his then 15-year-old son refused to be picked up from school in one of his dad’s Lamborghinis. I bet the son will now be begging his dad for a Lamborghini to drive!