Stefano Domenicali takes over leadership of Automobili Lamborghini

"Over the past eleven years Stephan Winkelmann has transformed Lamborghini into a global leader in the manufacture of super sports cars. His successor, who also possesses a wealth of experience in this area, will be continuing this success," says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board Management of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Administrative Board of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A..

Stefano Domenicali, born on 11 May 1965 in Imola, graduated in 1991 after studying business administration at the University of Bologna and began his professional career in finance with Ferrari. In 1993 he moved to Scuderia Ferrari, where he took over as Head of Business Planning. He was also director of the Mugello circuit, which belongs to Ferrari. From 1996, Domenicali was responsible for sponsors of Scuderia Ferrari, before becoming sporting director of the Formula 1 team in 1998. From 2004 to 2007 he headed the Direzione Sportiva F1. In 2008 he was Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari F1, which won the Constructor' World Championship that year. From 2009 to 2014 Domenicali represented Ferrari in the F.I.A World Motor Sport Council and still belongs to that body today. He is currently president of the F.I.A. Single Seater Commission. He has been Vice President New Business Initiatives at AUDI AG since November 2014. In 2002 he received the order of merit of the Italian Republic, the Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.

Stefano Domenicali says: "I am very excited to be taking on the challenges of this great legacy. It is now my duty to continue the successes that my predecessor Stephan Winkelmann achieved for Automobili Lamborghini."

Stephan Winkelmann comments: "I have been responsible for Lamborghini for a significant period of time in its history, and in the process have always aimed to use the brand's potential to achieve very ambitious goals. Lamborghini's key corporate data displays continual, profitable growth with a focus on the development of new products, new processes, and many other corporate sectors. Together with my colleagues from the Board of Directors, I was able to facilitate successful initial release of our third model series being launched in 2018. These successes would not have been possible without the passion, skill, creativity, and courage that are ingrained in the Lamborghini DNA and in our employees. I would like to thank everyone for this time from the bottom of my heart."

Winkelmann was born in Berlin on 18 October 1964 and grew up in Rome. He held a variety of senior positions in the Fiat Group heading up operations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland before being appointed President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini in 2005.

Between 2004 and 2015 the sales figures at Lamborghini more than doubled, and the turnover more than tripled. The dealer network has also tripled in size and now encompasses 135 dealers in 50 countries. During this time the number of employees, today 1,300, practically doubled.

Models introduced under Winkelmann, starting with derivatives of the Gallardo and ranging through to the V10 Hurac?n and V12 Aventador as well as limited editions and one-offs, set numerous new sales records.

In 2015 the third model line was announced, the luxury SUV "Urus", to be constructed in Sant'Agata Bolognese starting from 2018, and marking the beginning of a new era for the company.

Raising the profile of the brand was another focus under Winkelmann's leadership, with numerous successful initiatives launched. These included motor sports activities, encompassing the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo single-make series, the GT3 championship, and the instructional driving courses Accademia and Esperienza, but also the establishment of the fashion line Collezione Automobili Lamborghini.

Winkelmann's strategy was also aimed at taking care of ethical corporate responsibilities such as sustainable development of business and society while always keeping ecological issues in mind. In 2015, the CO2-neutral manufacturing certification for the entire Lamborghini factory at the historic Sant'Agata Bolognese location, became the most recent success of this strategy's implementation.

Under Winkelmann's leadership Lamborghini became an increasingly attractive employer and received numerous awards, one of these being the Top Employer Italia 2016 certification. These results are in part due to the participative model under which constant dialog and collaboration form the basis for relations with the trade unions.

In May 2014 President Giorgio Napolitano recognized Winkelmann with the title of Knight Grand Cross, the highest-ranking honor in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, for his service as the CEO of one of the most significant Italian companies.