Rolls-Royce celebrates record result

This is the first time that annual sales have reached four figures and the fourth successive sales increase since the company was launched in 2003.

There was strong demand for all Phantom models, with the four door versions (Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase) remaining the best sellers and accounting for 75% of the total. However, it was the exceptional demand for the new Phantom Drophead Coupé, launched in the summer, which drove the volume increase. Production capacity at Goodwood was maximized by working extended shifts.

'Everybody at Rolls-Royce is delighted with this tremendous result which marks our fifth anniversary in the best possible way,' said Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive. 'It confirms Rolls-Royce as the most desirable brand in the super luxury market and is a credit to the passion and dedication of our teams at Goodwood and around the world. The customer reaction to the Drophead Coupé has been astonishing, exceeding all our expectations.'

North America remained the biggest single market for Rolls-Royce in 2007, accounting for 40 per cent of sales and showing growth of 22 per cent. Exceptional performances were seen in the United Arab Emirates and in China which grew by around 70 and 50% respectively.

The Rolls-Royce dealer network expanded to 80 in 2007, with new showrooms including St Petersburg, Kiev and Dresden. The top selling dealers worldwide in 2007 were, respectively, Beverly Hills, London, Abu Dhabi, Tokyo and Dubai. Abu Dhabi saw the highest annual increase, with sales more than doubling.

'The result in the Middle East was based on the launch of the new Rolls-Royce convertible as well as an increased demand for Phantom. This substantiates the importance of the Middle East region for the successful development of the Rolls-Royce brand throughout the world,'

said Peter-Paul Schoppmann, Rolls-Royce Sales Director for Middle East.

Looking ahead in 2008, Rolls-Royce has announced its intention to launch a two-door coupé model, based on the Phantom, in the summer. Further into the future a new Rolls-Royce model series, to sit alongside the Phantom models, will be launched in 2010, currently named RR4.