PRESTIGE POWER

IN a motoring coup, the directors of LMM Holdings (owner of Brisbane BMW Group) have upped their prestige offering a gear after acquiring Lamborghini Brisbane from Melbourne-based businessman Andrew Smith.

Lamborghini Brisbane will retain its signage and existing premises for at least 14 months when a decision will be made on whether to bring it under one master-planned arrangement with Brisbane
BMW Group.

Managing director Martin Roller (pictured) is one of four directors of LMM Holdings who purchased Brisbane BMW 10 years ago and built Westside BMW at Darra three years ago.

The Lamborghini acquisition is considered a perfect fit for the group. The existing operation will remain at its current Wickham Street showroom facility housed within the luxurious ‘magic mile’ in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

Roller and his team have executed a robust marketing strategy and a minor refurbishment of the existing Lamborghini showroom and also leased around 350sq m across the road for customer parking.

“I set myself a target and that’s why I wanted to grow this business,” says Roller, the Queensland importer of Lamborghini.

The prestige supercar brand will upscale LMM as it powers toward selling 20 new Lamborghinis over the next 12 months and a further 20pre-owned prestige cars. To compare, just four have sold under the current marquee this year.

Roller has confidence in the brand. LMM has ordered four V12 Aventador models, valued at $840,000 each. One has already sold with the first customer taking delivery in 2012. The popular Gallardo model is also on order.

“This car (Aventador) is unbelievable – it projects the strength of its namesake, with many additional daring attributes, you just have to see it to truly appreciate its magnetism,” says Roller.

“A brand like Lamborghini needs to be able to offer customers the best experience, from purchase to coming back for service. Moving forward, owners will enjoy the total Lamborghini style – it’s what Lamborghini owners expect and demand.

“This flagship was crying out for a local player to come in and look after it. We are not afraid to open up our cheque book and buy cars.”

Scott Robinson has been appointed brand manager of the business and will lead the Lamborghini Brisbane team.

Robinson has a wealth of knowledge in both service and sales and has 30 years experience in the automotive industry. He has worked for a number of exotic sports car and prestige marques, including McLaren Cars in the UK as a senior technician for seven years.

“Our commitment to ensure we exceed our customers’ expectations has been strengthened with the decision to appoint Scott Robinson who has a vast array of both technical and sales experience to provide a professional approach for our business,” says Roller.

Around 50 per cent of Lamborghini’s customers are based on the Gold Coast. As such, LMM has leased a boutique showroom at the Oracle Broadbeach where it will have one of its new cars on display.

BMW Group meanwhile has sold more than 100 new cars across its BMW Brisbane and Westside marquees as well as solid sales with Mini during August.

“We are forecasting reasonable order banks,” says Roller.