The automotive enthusiasts certainly know Italian car manufacturer "Lamborghini". In automotive impressions on TV and Youtube channels, this car always gained high popularity, and juxtaposed with other fast cars like Buggati, McLaren, Ferrari, or Nissan. Long story short, in addition to Fiat and Ferrari, Lamborghini is Italian pride that reflects the character of the country who loves beauty and perfection.
But who would have thought, this supercar manufacturer, at one time, once owned by Indonesian businessmen. In 1994, Lamborgini had purchased two Indonesian businessmen, Setiawan Djody and Hutomo Mandala Putra. Starting when Chrysler as the owner of Lamborghini who feels the weight of continuing ownership of this company in the midst of economic pressure at the time. On January 21, 1994, Lamborghini was switched to a company based in Bermuda called Megatech. The Lamborghini history journal only mentions its buyers as "unknown Indonesian".
Megatech is owned by Hutomo Mandala Putra and Setiawan Djody through 60% shareholding, and the rest held by a Malaysian company, MyCom Berhad.
After officially owning Lamborghini, Djody immediately appointed Mike Kimberly as president and managing director. Got a trust and role that is quite vital in Lamborghini, he immediately racked his brain and convinced the company will not survive if only make two models. Mike also considered that Lamborghini should reduce the price of its car to reach American consumers
Before running his strategic plan, Megatech launched a marketing campaign. Evidently, the campaign managed to increase sales by 14 percent in the US and 34 percent globally in 1995.
At that time, Lamborghini is developing Diablo, one of the successful models in the ranks of this Italian brand. Two well-known variants of the time were SVs that offered models with light weight as well as powerful, as well as VT Roadster open-close roof model. Megatech himself bought a Lamborghini company for $ 40 million.
Not only Diablo, a source shows that Setiawan Djody introduced advanced concept models from Lamborghini Japla, a two-door sports model that was present before the Gallardo model. Before "Japla II" was realized, Japla was famous, among others appearing in the movie Rocky IV (1985) when the main character, Rocky (played by Sylvester Stallone), was driving the car.
Megatech also at the same time has also a Vector company, one of the American supercar brand that quite resonate name at that time, though not for long.
Lamborghini's age in the hands of two Indonesian businessmen ended in 1998 when Indonesia experienced a monetary crisis. Lamborghini was finally changed hands to VW-Audi until now.