by Trevor Sturgess

Luxury car maker Lamborghini sees enough wealth in Kent to back its decision to open a new dealership.

Lamborghini Sevenoaks, part of the Jardine Motors Group, has become only the sixth official dealer in the UK to stock the Italian sports cars costing between £175,000 and more than £300,000.

Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini's president and chief executive, flew into the county for the official opening ceremony.

He said there were a lot of commuters in Sevenoaks and West Kent who could afford the cars which display the raging bull symbol.

He hoped to sell up to 25 a year.

"That is a good number for the size of the market," he said.

Lamborghini had worked with Jardine in Reading and was happy to add Sevenoaks to its dealer network.

The typical Lamborghini buyer was "self-made, usually male, they love Italian products, they love sports cars".

But it was never their only car.

"We have movie stars, sports star and rock stars but the majority are self-made men in their 40s."

He added Lamborghini existed "to fulfil dreams".

Mr Winkelmann admitted that recession had made it tough, with UK sales falling to 120 in the past year compared with more than 200 in the boom times.

But he said the situation was improving.

"We think there is a good opportunity of the market remaining stable," he said.

The US is the marquee's biggest market, with China second and Europe - Italy, Germany and the UK - third.

Stephen Jackson, brand manager who lives in Meopham, said Lamborghini fitted well with its existing portfolio of Bentley and Aston Martin.

"We are lucky to be awarded the franchise," he said.

Sales were already going well and 70 per cent towards target. The new franchise has created three new jobs at its office in London Road, Sevenoaks.

Lamborghini was founded in 1963 by Ferruccio Lamborghini.

It is now part of the VW group but has its own factory in Sant' Agata Bolognese in Central Italy employing around 800 workers.