Lamborghini is known for speed, drama, and exclusivity. And now, just like another Italian exotic carmaker, it’s adding a lawsuit to the list. In North America, Lamborghini isn’t allowed to sell directly to customers, so it relies on independent dealerships to handle new vehicle sales. One of those dealers, Gold Coast Exotic Imports in Chicago, is now at the center of a messy legal battle. The automaker has accused the dealership of flipping cars to unauthorized brokers, collecting secret payments, and misleading the brand about who was actually buying vehicles like the $600,000+ Lamborghini Revuelto.
Mystery Buyers
Lamborghini
According to the lawsuit, Gold Coast allegedly sold at least 32 cars in 2023 to buyers who weren’t who they claimed to be. One vehicle was supposedly purchased by a Minnesota chiropractor, another by a former pro athlete. In reality, the cars were sent to third-party brokers, including someone who had previously pleaded guilty to laundering money through luxury vehicles. Not your average retail customer. Lamborghini says these sales were disguised to appear legitimate, even though the buyers should never have had access to the cars in the first place.
Kickbacks, Bonuses, and Finger-Pointing
Lamborghini
The automaker also claims Gold Coast demanded under-the-table payments — sometimes as high as $150,000 — from customers hoping to jump the line for limited-edition models like the Sterrato. Meanwhile, Lamborghini was unknowingly rewarding the dealership with more than $4 million in performance-based bonuses. Gold Coast denies the allegations. It argues that Lamborghini is actually the one at fault, pointing to over $400,000 in unpaid reimbursements for showroom upgrades and marketing. The dealership also claims the lawsuit is a thinly veiled attempt to push out its 81-year-old president, Joseph Perillo Sr., who Lamborghini allegedly described as “too old” and “too difficult to deal with.”
The Future Of Exotic Car Sales
Lamborghini
This case touches a nerve in the exotic car world. Genuine buyers already face inflated prices and long waitlists, especially if the brand you’re buying from rhymes with Merrari or Borche. If dealers are making backroom deals with resellers, it doesn’t just feel unfair. It hurts the brand. Lamborghini’s decision to sue one of its own dealers is bold and could reshape how automakers handle flipping going forward. Settlement talks are ongoing, but if they fall apart, the case is set to go to trial in December 2026. Either way, this fight is giving everyone a peek at how some exclusive cars are really sold.