Despite lacking the history of traditional supercar manufacturers like Ferrari and Lamborghini, Koenigsegg, a Swedish company founded by Christian von Koenigsegg, has carved out its place among supercar and hypercar royalty.
Constantly looking to push the supercar boundaries, Koenigsegg is often ahead of the game and arguably makes better vehicles than the more-established heavyweights.
There are 215 Koenigseggs in the world, and 495 are scheduled for delivery to customers in 2023 and 2024. Koenigseggs are rare but are set to become more common as Koenigsegg expands its production capacity.
This piece explains why you rarely come across a Koenigsegg and why there’s a higher chance of encountering one soon.
Why Are Koenigseggs So Rare?
With only 215 Koenigseggs sold since the first one rolled off the production line in 2002, there’s a meager chance of ever seeing one on the road. Despite it being so rare – or perhaps, because of its rarity – the Koenigsegg is one of the most noticeable supercars in the world.
Car enthusiasts keep up with the latest models via the internet, hoping to see one and recognize it.
The table below lists the number of Koenigseggs manufactured per model.
| Koenigsegg Model | Number Built |
|---|---|
| CC Prototype | 1 |
| CC8S | 6 |
| CCR | 14 |
| CCX | 29 |
| CCGT | 1 |
| CCXR | 9 |
| CCX Edition | 2 |
| CCXR Edition | 4 |
| CCXR Special | 2 |
| CCXR Trevita | 2 |
| Agera | 7 |
| Agera R | 18 |
| Agera S | 5 |
| One:1 | 7 (Including prototype) |
| Agera RS | 25 |
| Agera Final Edition | 3 |
| Regera | 80 |
| Total | 215 |
In the two decades since the first car debuted in 2002, Koenigsegg has built vehicles at the rate of about a car per year. Let’s find out why Koenigseggs are so rare.
Koenigsegg Wants To Make Profits
Christian von Koenigsegg is a sports car enthusiast and a businessman. The only way he can ensure that the company keeps producing peerless supercars is if Koenigsegg makes profits.
Koenigsegg doesn’t have the luxury of manufacturers like Ford that can profit by selling mass-produced road cars while spending fortunes on supercars. The Swedish company’s only products are its supercars and hypercars.
As stated above, Koenigsegg is a relatively new name in the supercar arena. Therefore, it has to find a way to stand out in a market filled with Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McLarens, Porsches, Audis, Fords, and Aston Martins, among others.
The Koenigsegg has a unique look, is very fast, and is a dream to drive – but so are other supercars from established manufacturers. Therefore, Koenigsegg stands out through innovation, leaving the so-called ‘pioneers’ of the game playing catch up.
The research and development that breeds innovation is expensive, especially for a small Swedish company like Koenigsegg. Thus, for Koenigsegg to survive, it needs to make money.
The solution is manufacturing a limited number of unique and fast vehicles using the latest technology and marketing them to the few people in the world that can afford them.
Rarity Adds to the Vehicle’s Allure
Koenigsegg adds to its allure by manufacturing limited vehicles. The rarer a product is, the more alluring it is to people.
Millions will watch Koenigsegg videos and read articles about the latest in the company’s production line despite lacking the millions required to purchase the vehicles. I’m unsure whether teens still place supercar posters on their bedroom walls – if they do, the Koenigsegg is on the walls of many bedrooms (or on iPhone screensavers).
People desire a Koenigsegg despite knowing they might never see one, let alone drive one. Koenigsegg has achieved such levels of desirability by manufacturing as few cars as feasible.
Bizarrely, there are wealthy people who treat the Koenigsegg like any other vehicle. Finding an abandoned supercar is rare; coming across an abandoned Koenigsegg is near impossible.
Yet, a YouTuber named effspit found a Koenigsegg One:1 left to collect dust in what appeared to be a supercar garage – the vehicle was parked next to a Lamborghini Murcielago and Ferrari F40. Watch the video below.
Koenigsegg Allows Customers To Modify Their Vehicles
One way to make an uncommon car even rarer: allow customers to modify the vehicles to their liking.
For example, Manny Khoshbin bought a Koenigsegg Agera RS and instructed the company to add gold accents to the exterior trimming, engine, and inner tires. The customized options of the vehicle cost Khoshbin over a million dollars.
Khoshbin sold the car, dubbed the Agera RS Phoenix, for a profit of $1.9 million. [Customization options also make cars like Bugattis rare and expensive. Discover more reasons why Bugattis are costly here.]
Koenigsegg Is Increasing Its Production Numbers
The recent production figures from Koenigsegg indicate a change in production strategy. Koenigsegg may have enough of a foothold in the industry to start manufacturing supercar numbers comparable to its competitors.
The following table shows the planned number of upcoming Koenigsegg models.
| Koenigsegg Model | Number to be built |
|---|---|
| Jesko (Absolut and Attack) | 125 |
| Gemera | 300 |
| CC850 | 70 |
| Total | 495 |
In the next few years, Koenigsegg intends to manufacture and sell more than double the vehicles it has sold in the past two decades. The aggressive strategy shift should pay off as most units are sold-out.
The demand for Koenigseggs is very high, as demonstrated by the push to increase the number of CC850 vehicles produced. Koenigsegg had announced that only 50 CC850 would be manufactured to celebrate Christian von Koenigsegg’s 50th birthday. However, demand for the car prompted Koenigsegg to increase the production target to 70.
The signs indicate that Koenigsegg will produce more vehicles as time passes. The company is expanding its factory space to over 30,000 square meters (323,000 square feet), offering Koenigsegg ample room to expand its operations.
One of Koenigsegg’s new offerings, the Gemera, will have room for four adults and luggage. It shows that Koenigsegg might consider building practical vehicles for everyday use like its competitors.
Koenigseggs will remain vehicles of the wealthy, but the indication is they will become more common.
Conclusion
Koenigseggs are rare because the company builds so few of them. The expensive production process and the need for exclusivity prompted Koenigsegg to manufacture limited vehicles marketed to the wealthy.
The signs show that Koenigseggs will become at least as common as other supercars.
If you want to compare these numbers to other sports car brands, check out one of these articles:
