Lambo cleans up its act

LAMBORGHINI has committed to a 35 per cent reduction in the CO2 output of its new model fleet by 2015, as well as a 30 per cent cut in CO2 emissions from its factory as soon as next year.

It says it will spend €35 million ($A61 million)over the next five years to reduce its CO2 footprint, which in the case of vehicle development will go towards decreasing vehicle mass, improving combustion, reducing friction and the introduction of idle-stop systems, hybrid drivetrain solutions and biofuels.

Volkswagen’s Italian supercar brand kicked off its environmental sustainability program with last year’s release of the Gallardo LP 560-4, which reduced CO2 emissions by 18 per cent, but an ambitious new CO2 reduction target for its Sant’Agata Bolognese facility will be achieved by installing a large photovoltaic system by the end of 2009.

The roof-top plant, extending over the entire 17,000 square-metre industrial area, will produce 1582 megaWatt hours (MWh) of ‘green’ energy per year, reducing CO2 emissions by 1,067,820kg a year.

As well as the photovoltaic system, which will have a total installed power rating of 1.4mW, Lamborghini says insulation of the factory’s total roof area will reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent.

“Despite the difficult situation in today's global economy, Lamborghini is committed to its policy of environmental management, since we are well aware of the great opportunities that derive from it,” said Lamborghini president and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann.

“We have an objective to reduce CO2 emissions to the greatest possible degree. We have also set compulsory annual goals that are part of an integrated approach both considering the automobile as an element which is more considerate of the environment, in terms of emissions and the use of resources, to the accomplishment of a series of corresponding measures such as modifications to our factory.

“This is an important action for Lamborghini and a central opportunity for our long-term corporate and product development.”

Lamborghini ceased production for two weeks between February and March, affecting around 300 members of its 1000-plus workforce, before announcing a 27.4 per cent increase in profits for 2008, when it sold marginally more cars (2430) than it did in 2007 (2406).

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