Lamborghini abandons its future 100% electric car... and its CFO blames Dieselgate: «we were in too much of a hurry»

It's a statement that leaves no room for ambiguity. At a time when many automakers are accelerating towards all-electricity, Lamborghini made a radically different choice: to slow down.

In an interview with Euroborsa, Paolo Poma, CFO of the Sant'Agata Bolognese-based brand, confirms that the Italian automaker has decided to postpone its 100 % electric car project. This strategic decision is part of a wider reflection on the evolution of the market. «Electric? It's not the right time yet,» he says bluntly.

A decision driven by the market, not by technology

Contrary to what one might think, this setback is not linked to a technical problem. Lamborghini is not questioning the energy transition, but rather its timetable.

According to Paolo Poma, the evidence is clear: in the luxury supercar segment, demand for electric 100 % models is virtually non-existent today. A reality that contrasts sharply with the projections made just a few years ago.

The manufacturer has therefore revised its roadmap. The initially planned electric model has been postponed and, above all, transformed. Lamborghini's future “fourth range” will not be electric, but hybrid. A pragmatic choice, which allows the brand to remain aligned with the real expectations of its customers.

Hybrids as an intermediate but high-performance solution

At Lamborghini, hybridization is seen not as a constraint, but as an opportunity. Since the launch of the Revuelto in 2023, the brand is fully committed to its positioning: offering performance-oriented hybrid vehicles. In fact, the term used internally is revealing: “High Performance Electrified Vehicle”. The aim is not just to reduce emissions, but to improve overall performance. And on this point, hybrids enable us to go even further, while retaining the brand's mechanical DNA.

This strategy seems to be paying off. In 2025, Lamborghini set a new record with 10,747 cars delivered and sales of 3.2 billion euros.

Economic reality puts the brakes on electric

Beyond product positioning, it's also economic reality that's pushing Lamborghini to take a wait-and-see attitude. Paolo Poma underlines a key point: today, customers do not yet perceive a sufficient advantage in switching to electric power. Prices remain high, and parity with combustion or hybrid engines has not yet been achieved.

In this context, investing heavily in a technology that is not yet generating strong demand represents a risk. The CFO also stresses another factor: automakers must continue to finance several technologies simultaneously. On the one hand, internal combustion and hybrid engines, which remain profitable. On the other, electrics, which still require heavy investment with no immediate return. «First economic sustainability, then long-term strategy», he sums up.

Lamborghini is not an isolated case. According to its CFO, the entire automotive sector is reassessing its electric ambitions. The move towards electrification remains irreversible, but it will take longer than expected. A conclusion that echoes many recent industry signals.

Paolo Poma even evokes a form of excessive acceleration in recent years, particularly after the dieselgate scandal in 2015, which prompted European politicians to impose a highly ambitious timetable. Ten years on, the facts are clear: the market has not kept pace with expectations.

We were probably in too much of a hurry. Since 2015, with the Volkswagen Group's diesel engine scandal, there has been strong political support for electric vehicles, particularly in Germany, without the consequences having been fully assessed.

Paolo Poma - CFO Lamborghini

Lamborghini remains solid despite tense global environment

Yet this strategic repositioning comes at a particularly complex time. Between geopolitical tensions, a trade war, rising US tariffs and a slowdown in certain markets such as China, Lamborghini is operating in an unstable environment.

Despite this, the brand boasts impressive profitability, with a margin of 24 %, comparable to the biggest players in the luxury sector. The United States remains the brand's biggest market, accounting for around a third of revenues, even if new tariffs of around 15 % are beginning to weigh on sales momentum.

However, Lamborghini is not turning its back on electric vehicles. The brand is simply adjusting its timetable. The course remains set for gradual electrification, but with a more realistic approach, dictated by the market and not by political or media pressure.

In the meantime, the priority is clear: exploit the full potential of the new hybrid range, develop more exclusive derivative versions, and continue to capitalize on personalization, a key lever of profitability in the luxury sector. Lamborghini's message is clear: the future will be electric... but not just yet.