Rolls-Royce celebrates third record year

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is celebrating its third successive annual sales increase since 2003, confirming the Phantom as the world’s leading super luxury car. Last year the company retailed 805 cars, a 16-year high for the marque.

Speaking at the unveiling of the new Phantom Drophead Coupé at the Detroit Motor Show, Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, Ian Robertson, said, “At a time when the global automotive industry is facing many challenges, I am pleased to report another increase in sales for Rolls-Royce. It marks our third year of growth and points to a sustainable future for the company that will see expanded operations at Goodwood and the Phantom joined by further new models.”

The USA remains the biggest single market for Rolls-Royce with the UK in second place. China became the third largest single market in 2006, growing by more than 60 per cent.

Rolls-Royce exported cars to more than 50 countries around the world in 2006 including Angola, Dominican Republic, Guadalupe, Nigeria and Turkey. However, the larger, established markets still account for the majority of sales. The top five dealers worldwide in 2006 were, respectively, Beverly Hills and Tokyo sharing the top spot, London, Dubai and New York.

Production of the new Phantom Drophead Coupé has already begun at the company’s Goodwood manufacturing plant on the south coast of England. The first customer cars are expected to be delivered in the summer.