Rolls-Royce
Motor Cars has finished 2009 with a tally of 1002 cars retailed during the
year. This figure includes the first 150 Ghosts, delivered to customers in
December.
Demand for the Ghost
has been high, with around 85 per cent of Ghost customers being new to the
marque.
Demand for Phantom
models remained strong. The four door versions (Phantom and Phantom Extended
Wheelbase) remained most popular and accounted for more than a third of the
total. Continued interest in the Phantom Drophead Coupé and the Phantom
Coupé saw Rolls-Royce attract new buyers to the Phantom family of cars.
Almost all Phantom
series cars produced at Goodwood in 2009 included some Bespoke element, with
many exceptional and individual cars produced for customers during the year.
Bespoke sales in 2009 reached record levels and this trend is expected to
continue in 2010.
“This is a tremendous
result and a particularly strong performance considering the challenging
economic environment that all manufacturers faced in 2009,” said Tom Purves,
Chief Executive Officer. “Rolls-Royce has maintained its position at the
pinnacle of the super luxury automotive market and much of this success is
due to our highly skilled and dedicated workforce. We begin 2010 with
production on all models sold out until April”.
North America remained
the biggest single market for Rolls-Royce in 2008, accounting for 33 per
cent of sales. Sales figures for Europe were particularly positive, matching
2008 sales figures. Sales in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions
remained resilient and showed improved growth towards the end of the year.
Expansion of all
operations at Goodwood has now been successfully completed, with the
delivery of the first customer Ghosts marking a milestone for the brand. A
new assembly line, introduction of a second shift, recruitment of additional
manufacturing staff and significant infrastructure changes were all
completed on time and within budget.
In the eight years
since the first Phantom was produced at Goodwood, Rolls-Royce has introduced
five new models widening the appeal of the marque and demonstrating
continuous investment in this pinnacle brand.