We reported a while back about Rolls Royce prospering despite the credit crunch, and figures revealed today show that they continue to prosper despite the doom and gloom.
When we last wrote about this back in November, we reported that Rolls Royce’s year end showed an increase of 38% year on year, with a total of 945 cars sold. Well, they’ve obviously continued in the same vein as their 2008 sales total has reached 1210, an increase of 20% over 2007.
Rolls Royce range had a record breaking 2008
It seems that the car market is getting polarised. Those that provide exceptional cars are doing well (those like Jaguar (despite its cash-flow problems) and Audi), whilst those who have failed to invest and keep an eye on the changing winds (such as GM, Chrysler and others), are close to going to the wall. A recession always sorts the wheat from the chaff, and this one is doing it in style.
Rolls Royce has become such an iconic brand once again under the careful stewardship of BMW. The Phantom has shown how a car at this level should be conceived, built and marketed (are you listening, Maybach?) and they have introduced new models in the Phantom Drophead Coupe and the Phantom Coupe, both of which have sold well.
Tom Purves, CEO at Rolls Royce Cars, said:
“This is a tremendous result and particularly gratifying considering the challenging economic environment manufacturers faced in the second half of 2008.Once again much of this success lies with the highly skilled and dedicated workforce that we have at Goodwood.”
But Rolls Royce aren’t sitting on their laurels by any means, and they are readying the ‘Baby’ Rolls, code-named the RR4, for launch later this year. The RR4, based on the latest BMW 7 Series platform, will take the fight head to head with the Bentley Flying Spur.
Now that’s an interesting prospect. Two German Car makers, masquerading as tradition English Carriage makers, vying for the top slot!
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