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Lamborghini could be sold or spun off from the Volkswagen Group

Volkswagen is reportedly considering a sale or stock listing for its high-end Lamborghini brand. The German automaker is looking to fold the Italian supercar brand into a separate legal entity, reports Bloomberg, which cites "people familiar with the matter" who don't want to be identified "because the deliberations are confidential and no decisions have been made." Any of this sound familiar? The goal of spinning off Lamborghini would be to stockpile more cash and other resources for VW's massive planned push into electric vehicles. Back in March, reports circulated that Volkswagen's "Vision 2030" corporate plan might include plans to focus on the brand's core brands — VW, Audi and Porsche. That means the futures of fringe players like Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, motorcycle brand Ducati and design firm Italdesign (and note this isn't a comprehensive list of brand's under the expansive VW Group umbrella) are up in the air. VW, according to the report, is targeting a market value of $220 billion, which is a big jump from the brand's current $89 billion valuation. Bloomberg pegged Lamborghini's valuation at around $11 billion back in August, buoyed by sales and profits generated by the introduction of the Urus sport utility vehicle. On the flip side, Lamborghini is currently grappling with how best to update its supercar lineup in the face of ever-increasing emissions regulations.

Lamborghini launches Polo Storico heritage division

Lamborghini has always been more forward-looking than it has been focused on its past, but it has still left an undeniable wake of historically noteworthy and highly collectable classics. To tend to them, the company has launched Lamborghini Polo Storico. Sant'Agata's heritage division brings with it new initiatives and consolidates several existing operations under one roof. For starters, the new department will be responsible for the Archivio Storico Lamborghini, a historical archive detailing the company's past models as well as materials and techniques employed in their construction – all of which is being digitized for the first time. Polo Storico will also stockpile original parts and (if necessary) reproduce them from the original blueprints. The services will extend to offering customers the chance to have their classic Lambos restored by experts at the factory using original parts, and even have the vehicle's authenticity certified by a technical committee. Of course Lamborghini isn't the first European automaker to offer such comprehensive services for its historic models. Arch-rival Ferrari launched its Classiche department several years ago, and more recently Land Rover opened a similar operation of its own. These developments underline an increasing emphasis that automakers have been putting on their own heritage and the preservation of their history in the metal. Related Video: Lamborghini relaunches Restoration Center: "Lamborghini Polo Storico" provides unique knowledge and guaranteed authenticity for classic Lamborghini cars Sant'Agata Bolognese, 16. Aprile, 2015 – Automobili Lamborghini is relaunching its restoration center under the name of Lamborghini Polo Storico. The new department includes the brand's historical archives, the vehicle restoration center, vehicle certification, and guarantees the availability of numerous genuine spare parts for all historical Lamborghini models. With its new Polo Storico, Automobili Lamborghini emphasizes the importance of preserving its broad heritage and unique knowledge. A big part of this new formula is the Archivio Storico Lamborghini. This historical archive includes the documentation of historical Lamborghini car models, as well as technical schemes, body colors, leathers, images and several publications ever made by the company.

Weekly Recap: Lamborghini to build SUV

Finally, Lamborghini will build a sport utility vehicle. The Italian supercar maker confirmed this week that it will launch a luxury SUV in 2018. It will be built at Lamborghini's soon-to-expand factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese in Italy, and will double the company's current sales volume. Lamborghini did not announce a name for the vehicle or other details, but noted a concept version, the Urus, was displayed at the Beijing motor show in 2012. It will be sold around the world, but it's expected to be a critical offering in the United States, China, and the Middle East. The automaker projects the SUV will sell about 3,000 units per year, and it will be the third product in Lamborghini's portfolio. It currently sells the Huracan and Aventador supercars. "The introduction of a third model line endorses the stable and sustainable growth of the company and signifies for us the beginning of a new era," Lamborghini chief executive Stephan Winkelmann said in a statement. The project is also a boon for Italy, which will get 500 new jobs in the Emilia Romagna region as Lamborghini's factory will nearly double in size. Ian Fletcher, principal analyst for IHS Automotive, said the SUV will position Lamborghini for future growth. "It could well also bring new customers to the brand [who] may find the dramatic styling of Lamborghini products appealing, but find its typical sports cars restrictive," he said. "If it is a success, the SUV could be a catalyst to Lamborghini broadening its portfolio further." OTHER NEWS & NOTES GM invests in Chevy Camaro factory General Motors is investing $175 million to upgrade its factory in Lansing, MI, to build the 2016 Chevy Camaro. The investment will pay for new tooling and equipment. The improvements include three new paint systems and two new robotic framers. GM will add a second shift at the factory to build the Camaro, resulting in 500 jobs. The automaker had dropped the plant to one shift last year amid slow sales for its products, the Cadillac ATS and CTS. GM is spending $5.4 billion over the next three years to upgrade its US facilities. Last week, GM announced plans to spend $439 million to build a new paint shop for the Chevy Corvette. While the Camaro and Corvette plant improvements are intriguing to enthusiasts, GM also confirmed this week that it is investing $1.2 billion in its Fort Wayne (IN) factory that builds trucks.