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| Stephan Winkelmann | |
|---|---|
| Name | Stephan Winkelmann |
| Birth date | 1964-01-09 |
| Birth place | Berlin, West Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Automotive executive |
| Years active | 1992–present |
Stephan Winkelmann (born 9 January 1964) is a German business executive known for leading luxury and performance automotive brands. He has held chief executive positions at Lamborghini, the Audi and Bugatti operations within the Volkswagen Group, and served on supervisory and advisory boards across the FIA-linked and automotive industry institutions. Winkelmann is noted for brand revitalization, product-led strategies, and expansion into motorsport and luxury diversification.
Winkelmann was born in Berlin and raised in Frankfurt am Main where he completed secondary education before studying law and economics at the University of Mainz and the University of Perugia. During his studies he spent time in Rome and engaged with international legal practice in Milan and Brussels, which connected him with European institutions such as the European Parliament and legal networks across Italy and Belgium. His multilingual background and legal training informed later executive roles within multinational corporations including Siemens-affiliated entities and firms operating in Luxembourg and Switzerland.
Winkelmann began his professional career in the early 1990s with positions in legal and commercial departments at companies linked to Siemens AG and Maserati partners, later joining the Volkswagen Group family where he first worked with brands in Italy and the United Kingdom. He moved into luxury automotive management with responsibilities spanning product planning, sales strategy, and brand positioning across markets such as Germany, France, United States, China, and Japan. Over his career he has engaged with corporate governance at firms interacting with stakeholders like the European Commission, global suppliers including Bosch, and financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank and UBS.
Appointed president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. in 2005, Winkelmann led initiatives that strengthened links between Lamborghini and parent company Volkswagen Group subsidiaries including Audi AG. Under his leadership Lamborghini expanded model lineups and performance programs, collaborated with suppliers such as Pirelli and Brembo, and developed limited-edition models targeting collectors in markets like Monaco, Dubai, and Hong Kong. He fostered partnerships with luxury houses including Berluti-style bespoke programs and engaged with motorsport entities such as the FIA GT Championship to enhance brand pedigree. His tenure saw increased production volume while maintaining exclusivity through numbered series and bespoke commissions for patrons connected to events like the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
In 2016 Winkelmann was appointed head of the Audi and Bugatti group within the Volkswagen Group structure, overseeing strategic units including Audi Sport and the exotic marque Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.. He managed integration efforts tied to technological programs with partners like Magna International and coordinated responses to regulatory matters involving the European Union and national authorities in Germany and France. During this period he supervised high-performance product roadmaps, limited-run hypercars, and collaborations with suppliers such as Michelin and engineering firms like Dallara. He also navigated corporate challenges linked to emissions investigations that affected Volkswagen AG-related operations and alignment with governance frameworks in Ingolstadt and Molsheim.
Winkelmann returned as president and CEO of Lamborghini in 2016, steering a renewed product offensive that included expanded SUV programs, high-performance hybrids, and bespoke coachbuilding initiatives. He championed investments in manufacturing in Sant'Agata Bolognese and amplified Lamborghini's presence at international venues such as the Geneva Motor Show, Frankfurt Motor Show, and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Beyond Lamborghini, he has held advisory and board positions with organizations connected to Confindustria and participated in industry forums alongside leaders from Toyota Motor Corporation, General Motors, and Ferrari to discuss electrification and luxury market trends.
Winkelmann is characterized by a product-focused, brand-centric management style emphasizing limited-series craftsmanship, motorsport heritage, and expansion into luxury lifestyle offerings. He delivered growth in retail networks across North America, China, and the Middle East while preserving manufacturing capacity in Italy. Under his direction Lamborghini reported record sales and profit margins driven by models produced in collaboration with technical partners such as Magneti Marelli and ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and by entering competitive segments against rivals like Ferrari N.V. and McLaren Automotive. His approach has been described in business circles alongside executives from BMW AG, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Porsche AG for balancing exclusivity with scalable operations.
Winkelmann lives between Italy and Germany and is fluent in German, Italian, English, and French; he has engaged with cultural institutions including the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera and attended events hosted by entities such as the Automobile Club d'Italia. His honors include industry recognitions from automotive publications and trade organizations alongside lists that feature executives from Forbes, Automotive News, and Bloomberg. He has been involved in philanthropic activities with charities and foundations operating in Bologna and has received awards at ceremonies attended by representatives from ACEA and the International Motor Press Association.
Category:German chief executives Category:People from Berlin Category:1964 births Category:Living people