Rolls-Royce announces entry into South America
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that it will enter the South American market for the first time in the company’s history. Rolls-Royce is working with future dealers in Brazil and Chile and the company’s CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, is currently visiting the region to meet these future dealers as well as customers, prospects and members of the media.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, speaking in São Paulo, said, “I am delighted to announce our plans for entry into the South American market. Brazil and Chile have seen impressive economic growth, with an increasing demand from discerning customers for pinnacle luxury products. Rolls-Royce is growing very successfully in a number of fast-growing emerging markets and it is therefore appropriate that we have a strong presence in Brazil and Chile.”
The Via Italia Group, headed by Francisco Longo, is Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ appointed future dealer in Brazil. Williamson Balfour Motors, a member of the Inchcape Group and headed by Peter Aberle, is Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ future dealer in Chile. Both are working towards full dealership openings in March 2012.
The news comes at an exciting time for Rolls-Royce, with sales maintaining strong momentum worldwide. Between January and September, sales increased by 41% on the same period last year. There has been strong demand for both Phantom and Ghost models, with double-digit growth in all regions in the first nine months of the year. Ghost continues to grow the segment and is the market leader, with around 80 per cent of Ghost customers new to Rolls-Royce. The company has a strong order bank stretching well into 2012 and Bespoke content levels are at an all-time high.
Rolls-Royce also recently announced that the manufacturing plant and head office at Goodwood in West Sussex is to expand in the months ahead to meet increasing global demand and increased customer interest in Bespoke Ghost and Phantom models. Total investment in the project will be about £10 million.