New Bugatti Model to be Introduced

Well, Bugatti is going to have to stop doing those Veyron special editions sometime and produce another model for the lineup. It looks like they're doing just that, with a outrageous new model already in the works.

The fact is, Bugatti is going to have to do something else soon. Why? Because they won't have anything to sell if they don't. They've been ramping up production of the Veyron to ensure faster deliveries, and all but 50 units have been sold.

They've given themselves a bit of time by extending the run with separately tallied special edition models with production runs of their own, but I suspect customers of the existing Veyrons won't be too happy if they keep extending beyond the original promised 300. Remember, a car of this caliber is an investment!

Demand for the supercar has been suprisingly strong, espessially given light of the global economy. Whether they have made money on it, that's a another story.  Not with a small production run like that they aren't.

It's clear that if they want to be a sustainable business, Bugatti will have to 1. Spend less on development for the next model (that is virtually assured given the work already done on this one), 2. Find a way to build individual vehicles cheaper, 3. Keep the model run open for years, not something small like 300.

My estimated (gross) profit for Bugatti and the Veyron is $450,000,000 over it's 300 unit run, and that's aiming high. Take the ultra-expensive development, factory, etc into account and you see the money difficulty.

But that's all behind us now and paid for - Bugatti has a factory now and a clearly established name in the marketplace. Now the focus is not if there will be a new model but what that model will be.

Nice? I thought so. Bugatti has a very rich and diverse history, and a ultra-sedan would definitely not be out of character for the brand. They do need more then one model line.

So, I think the Type 12 Streamliner would be a good place to start if that was the direction. Ideally, Bugatti would have an next-generation type of Veyron that would be produced in small numbers over lets say, a 10 year run, as well as another model line (or two).

Here's somethings we do know based off this recent report. A new model is slated to arrive around 2011 or 2012 and that "(Going) in a different direction is not an option....the car must fit into Bugatti history, but also the Veyron". The sketchy translation makes things difficult, but this conversation comes from Bugatti Chief Executive Franz-Josef Paefgen, obviously someone in the know.

We'll know more in September at the Bugatti 100th Anniversary event. Expect an announcement of some kind regarding the new vehicle, as "Bugatti unfolds it's future". We'll be sure to keep you posted on anything until then. Just look long and hard at that Type 12 Streamliner, Bugatti!