Amid gloomy global economic conditions, performance car manufacturer Lamborghini has increased worldwide sales to 2 013 units in the first six months of 2016, up 7% compared with the same period last year.

June was a new record month for the Volkswagen company, with 416 cars delivered to customers worldwide.

It is the first time in Lamborghini’s history that it sold more than 2 000 units in a half-year period.

South African Lamborghini sales numbers are not reported.

“Thanks to the enlargement of the Huracán family, including the introduction of the Spyder and rear-wheel-drive version in markets worldwide this year, we were able to deliver an exceptional sales performance in the first six months of 2016,” says Automobili  Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“With a solid order bank, not only for the Huracán, but also for our V12 model the Aventador, we aim to outperform the last year's sales record yet again.”

Sales figures of the Huracán in the first 24 months after market introduction were up by 87% compared with its predecessor, the Gallardo, in the same period after market launch.

Lamborghini sales distribution is balanced among three regions, namely Europe, Middle East, Africa; America; and Asia Pacific, with each accounting for around one-third of global sales.

The largest Lamborghini markets are the US, Japan, UK, China and Germany.

In March, Lamborghini showed off the once-off Centenario, presented as homage to founder Ferruccio Lamborghini.

Only 20 coupé and 20 roadster versions of the Centenario will be produced, and all 40 cars are already sold.

Lamborghini says it is preparing for the market introduction of a ‘super’ sports-utility vehicle (SUV), the Urus, which will go into production from 2018 onwards.

Lamborghini follows in the recent footsteps of other supercar producers, such as Maserati, by adding an SUV to its product line-up.

Lamborghini says the Urus will deliver “additional growth and significant opportunities across the marque”.

It will also see a substantial increase in production capacity.

A construction programme to enlarge the factory in Italy has already started.