Lamborghini (by Audi AG / Volkswagen Group)
1998
$110M
Why
Audi AG, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, acquired Lamborghini from the Indonesian ownership group V'Power and Megatech to add a ultra-luxury, high-performance marque to the group's portfolio, driven by Ferdinand Piëch's recognition of the brand's potential to compete with Ferrari and Porsche.
Impact
The acquisition provided Lamborghini with the financial stability, engineering resources, and shared platform architectures required to compete consistently with Ferrari and achieve long-term profitability, transforming the company from a financially fragile boutique manufacturer into a globally recognized luxury brand.
Outcome
Under Volkswagen Group ownership, Lamborghini was able to develop new models, such as the Gallardo and the Urus, which became massive commercial successes, allowing the company to produce over 10,000 vehicles annually and achieve a record-breaking operating margin of 26.5% in FY2024.