Lamborghini has released figures of its pre-tax profits for 2008, and the Italian manufacturer netted a total of 60 million euros last year for a 27% increase over 2007.

Overall sales were only up 2.5%, eclipsing the previous year’s sales record (2,406 vehicles) with 2,430 cars sold worldwide. The increase in sales is attributed to growth in the Chinese and the Middle Eastern markets, while sales in the U.S. fell by over 20% to just 741 vehicles (down from 930 in 2007). Obviously, the additional profits didn’t come from a massive sales increase. Instead, Lamborghini have placed 300 of its 1,000 employees on shorter work days from February through May, netting it additional savings.

For 2009, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has admitted that the economic downturn is likely to affect Lamborghini’s sales. However, it remains committed to bringing a new model to market each year, so expect more to come this year.

Lamborghini has released figures of its pre-tax profits for 2008, and the Italian manufacturer netted a total of 60 million euros last year for a 27% increase over 2007.

Overall sales were only up 2.5%, eclipsing the previous year’s sales record (2,406 vehicles) with 2,430 cars sold worldwide. The increase in sales is attributed to growth in the Chinese and the Middle Eastern markets, while sales in the U.S. fell by over 20% to just 741 vehicles (down from 930 in 2007). Obviously, the additional profits didn’t come from a massive sales increase. Instead, Lamborghini have placed 300 of its 1,000 employees on shorter work days from February through May, netting it additional savings.

For 2009, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has admitted that the economic downturn is likely to affect Lamborghini’s sales. However, it remains committed to bringing a new model to market each year, so expect more to come this year.