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The raging bull Lamborghini is pissed off at a Chicago dealership for allegedly selling supercars to unauthorized shoppers. That might sound like a silly accusation, but the alleged practices are a violation between the Italian company and Gold Coast Exotic Imports. The case has landed in court along with even more accusations against the dealer.
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Lamborghini says it was deceived by Gold Coast Exotic Imports, which it alleges lied and said supercars were being sold to a professional athlete, a CEO, and other prominent buyers when in fact the customers were unauthorized resellers.
In other words, the dealership was selling Aventadors, Huracans, etc. to flippers who would jack the price way up, turning a healthy profit on a new Lambo.
Even worse, Lamborghini claims one of those resellers has a criminal history of fraud. That man was allegedly selling the vehicles to “drug dealers and pimps” as detailed out in a Chicago Sun Times report on the accusations.
Authorized Lamborghini dealerships contractually can’t sell new cars directly to resellers or car brokers as a way to avoid the immediate flipping of exclusive models. As you probably already know, when a desirable new car gets gobbled up quickly, then it’s available only for a premium over the original MSRP.
But wait, there’s more.
The Italian automaker alleges Gold Coast Exotic Imports has been collecting hundreds of thousands in off-the-books kickbacks from customers in exchange to access to some of the limited-edition models from Lamborghini.
Finally, the dealership has been accused of trying to ouster its 81-year-old president, Joseph Perillo Sr., telling employees the man is “too old, too difficult to deal with and has made enough money.”
But the dealership claims Lamborghini has withheld money for upgrades to the showroom and marketing reimbursements.
According to the report, the two parties are on the verge of settling out of court.
Image via Lamborghini
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