Curbside Classics has a eulogy for designer Marcello Gandini, who died recently. He specialized in extreme supercars, which I find extremely boring. The article mentions one interesting fact: Lamborghini made tractors before it started doing supercars as a sidegig, then eventually dropped the tractors.
This is an extreme case of a very old rule I discussed last year. Luxury cars and trucks have a lot in common, while mass-market cars require an entirely different sales pattern and factory setup.
Trucks and tractors are heavy machines built in fairly small quantities for demanding customers who need a wide variety of special types and equipment. Demanding customers are willing to pay high prices for the specialization.
Luxury cars are heavy machines built in fairly small quantities for demanding customers who need a wide variety of special types and equipment. Demanding customers are willing to pay high prices for the specialization.
Mass-market cars, whether cheap like Ford or midlevel like Buick, are built in huge quantities for customers who want consistency and similarity. A bit of surface variation is desirable to provide a status goal, but the basic vehicle needs to satisfy a single compromise of city and highway driving. Price competition is fierce, and a few dollars can make or break a sale.
Truck makers were able to switch to luxury cars and vice versa, depending on which sold better. When a maker in this category tried regular passenger cars, it failed quickly.
Polistra's Mill 