Lamborghini was founded in 1963 by Ferruccio Lamborghini to produce high-performance sports cars to compete with Ferrari. Notable early models included the Miura sports car of the 1960s. Lamborghini grew rapidly but faced financial troubles in the 1970s, changing ownership several times since. Today Lamborghini is known for extreme design and performance, targeting discerning customers. Key rivals include Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Porsche, with Lamborghini differentiating itself through precision engineering and provocative styling.