The company was founded in 1963 by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini. It has changed ownership numerous times since, most recently becoming a subsidiary of German car manufacturer AUDI AG (itself a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group) in 1999.Lamborghini has achieved widespread recognition for its sleek, exotic designs, and its cars have become symbols of performance and wealth.A new world financial crisis has seen sales decrease once again, from a high of 2,580 units in 2007 to an expected 1,580 units in 2009. Lamborghini CEO Stephen Winkelmann has predicted continued poor sales for supercars through 2011(wikipedia.com).