Investing.com - BofA Securities has highlighted Lamborghini as an important yet undervalued asset within the Volkswagen (ETR:VOWG_p) Group in a research study. The report, titled "Postcard from Italy: A day at Lamborghini, the hidden gem within the Audi Group," points to Lamborghini's strong financial performance, parallels with Ferrari (NYSE:RACE), and the strategic significance of the company for VW, which, however, is not reflected in the current corporate value.
Lamborghini, now consolidated under the Audi Group, achieved an EBIT margin of 27% in 2023 with sales of around 10,000 units - a performance that is "not far from Ferrari," according to the US bank's experts. The total revenue of the luxury car manufacturer amounted to €2.7 billion last year, based on an average revenue per unit of €263,000, mainly driven by the models Urus, Huracan, and the newly introduced Revuelto.
The report attributes Lamborghini's success primarily to its residual value-based business model. "The business is driven by residual values, which remain above new car prices even three years after sale," said BofA. This strategy largely aligns with Ferrari's and creates scarcity and high demand for Lamborghini vehicles, which are often sold above the new price in the first three years.
BofA predicts a significant increase in revenue and profitability for Lamborghini through its ongoing hybridization strategy. By 2025, the entire fleet is expected to be electrified, reducing the Urus' CO2 emissions by 80% and increasing the revenue per unit, according to the experts. The price for the Revuelto is expected to rise to €500,000, with similar price increases for the Urus and Huracan models.
Despite Lamborghini's robust finances, BofA argues that Lamborghini's value is not fully reflected in VW's current stock price. The analysts suggest a valuation of Lamborghini between €15 billion and €20 billion, which would add an extra €30 to €40 per VW share. This valuation could reach up to €35 billion (€70 per VW share) if Lamborghini is equated with Ferrari.
Referring to Lamborghini's hidden value and the potential for significant returns for shareholders, BofA maintains its buy recommendation for VW's common and preferred shares. Although the investment bank does not anticipate a short-term IPO for Lamborghini, it emphasizes Lamborghini's long-term value to the VW Group. Accordingly, the US bank's price target for Volkswagen preferred shares is €145, representing a potential return of over 37% based on the current price.
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This content was originally published on Investing.com
