Lamborghini wants to part ways with a distributor accused of selling supercars to "drug dealers and pimps".

After Ferrari, it's the turn of Lamborghini has been rocked by a scandal involving one of its official distributors. The Italian manufacturer is accusing one of its dealers in the United States of selling supercars not to enthusiasts, as stipulated in the contract, but to profiles that are dubious to say the least, going so far as to mention "drug dealers" and "pimps". A case followed by the Chicago Sun Tmes.

Explosive complaint against Chicago dealership

At the heart of the matter: Gold Coast Exotic Imports, a Lamborghini distributor located in Chicago, Illinois. In a complaint filed in January 2024 in federal court, Automobili Lamborghini America accuses this dealer of breaching its contract by selling, in 2023, at least 32 vehicles to unauthorized brokers, instead of individual customers or other authorized dealers.

Among the cases cited, one vehicle was allegedly sold to a person previously convicted of fraud involving the resale of luxury cars to drug traffickers and pimps. For Lamborghini, this case goes beyond the contractual framework: it seriously damages the brand's image and its official distribution network.

Illegal resale and kickbacks

The Sant'Agata Bolognese-based manufacturer claims that Gold Coast set up a parallel system of sales to brokers who had no intention of keeping the cars. These intermediaries then resold the vehicles at high prices, circumventing the strict rules established by Lamborghini to preserve the rarity and image of its most exclusive models.

But the accusation doesn't stop there. Lamborghini alleges that the dealership demanded off-the-books bribes totaling several hundred thousand dollars in exchange for access to coveted limited models. At the same time, the brand points out that it has paid over $4 million in commercial bonuses to Gold Coast since 2019.

The dealer denies... and counterattacks

For its part, Gold Coast Exotic Imports denies all the accusations and claims that Lamborghini is in fact seeking to get rid of its president, 81-year-old Joseph Perillo Sr. who is considered by some brand managers to be "too old, too difficult to manage" and "to have already made enough money".

The dealership even filed a complaint with the Illinois Motor Vehicle Review Board, accusing Lamborghini of withholding reimbursements for showroom improvements, and of failing to honor its marketing commitments.

Despite the tensions, both parties recently indicated before Federal Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer that an out-of-court settlement was being negotiated. "The parties are working collaboratively to resolve all claims," said the dealer's attorney. However, a trial is still envisaged in December 2026, if no agreement is reached by then.

After Ferrari, Lamborghini faces the reality of its network

This scandal comes just days after the Mertel Italo Cars affair, Ferrari dealer in Germany accused of massive fraud. Ferrari immediately terminated its contract with this troubled partner, without waiting for the conclusions of the judicial investigation.

The Gold Coast affair shows once again that, even for luxury brands such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, controlling the distribution network remains a challenge. Between illegal resale, speculation and damage to brand image, Italian manufacturers are now forced to take a harder line.