Lamborghini opens 2nd India showroom in Delhi

Italian super-car maker Lamborghini on Monday opened a new showroom in Delhi, its second in India, expressing confidence that it would exceed its 2012 sales this year even as it rued the high taxation rules imposed on its business here.

Lamborghini sold 17 cars in India last year, and is hoping to get that up to 20 in 2013. Even doubling that figure in the next few years would not be a major challenge, the company said, as it gears up to open a third dealership, in Bangalore, shortly.

The main catch, it said, is that in India, when a big car is imported, the effective tax rate may go up to 200%: meaning, the car's price may triple by the time it gets to the buyer.

"This is not good for business. We are not hindering local businesses by making and importing these cars here," said Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO, Automobili Lamborghini. "Protection from our cars is not required. These are highly innovational technological products. They do not create traffic or add to pollution."

In India, Lamborghini sells two models, the Gallardo and the Aventador, priced between ₹ 2.8 crore and ₹ 6.3 crore (ex-showroom Delhi). The company is planning an SUV range that should be ready by 2017.