Wednesday 11th January 2012

Record sales for Rolls-Royce in 2011

2011 proves a vintage year for Rolls - a fine way to celebrate the Spirit of Ecstasy's centenary

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Rolls-Royce has just revealed its sales figures for 2011 - and it's been a record-breaking year for the Flying Lady.

There might be impending financial meltdown everywhere at the moment, but plutocrats and celebrities seem as immune as ever, and Rolls-Royce is clearly benefitting, having just posted its strongest year of sales figures ever.

The Goodwood-based manufacturer delivered 3,538 cars in 2011, a chunky 31 per cent more than 2010's figure of 2,711 and the highest figure in the manufacturer's 107-year history.

'78 and Silver Shadow was RR's last peak

The figure bests Rolls-Royce's previous record of 3,347 cars having been set in 1978 during the Silver Shadow II era.

Both the new Ghost and the almost decade-old Phantom ranges enjoyed sales growth, though Rolls admits that the newer, cheaper, Ghost range accounted for the lion's share of the sales increase.

China and the United States were the most significant individual markets for Rolls-Royce, though the UK performed well, reporting 30 per cent growth. In Continental Europe, Germany and Russia were the largest growth markets, each more than doubling sales compared with 2010.

"We had an outstanding year in 2011 and we should take a moment to reflect on this Great British success story," said Torsten Muller-Otvos, Rolls CEO. "Our business is in excellent shape. We are developing our dealer network, moving into new markets like South America, expanding our manufacturing operation in West Sussex to meet global demand and have plans to develop our product range."

 

[Luca Brasi]

Amazing how the Phantom has been around for almost 10 years and still looks mighty good.

[0077]

Luca Brasi said:

Amazing how the Phantom has been around for almost 10 years and still looks mighty good.

Probably due to all the new Rolls models looking similar perhaps? It's called the 'Aston Martin DB9 Syndrome'

I'm glad RR are still doing well!

[ZOLLAR]

Luca Brasi said:

Amazing how the Phantom has been around for almost 10 years and still looks mighty good.

Very true.
Well done RR

[Monkey boy 1]

0077 said:

Probably due to all the new Rolls models looking similar perhaps? It's called the 'Aston Martin DB9 Syndrome'

I'm glad RR are still doing well!

I thought it was the Porsche 911 syndrome, An entire range that all look virtually the same.

Good to see the high end markets are still doing well, I beliefe Ferrari are in the same boat, best production and sales figures for years.

[Carnnoisseur]

The complete line up is stunning, well deserved RR

[Andy JB]

Great news - its just a shame that all the 'British' succesful car builders are no longer owned by the British - i wonder if there is a correlation here.... think Aston, Bentley, Rolls, Jaguar and many parts are not sourced here only assembly.

Still its better than a Saab scenario, at least they still exist as manufacturers albeit tentatively British

[AlpinaB5s]

"We had an outstanding year in 2011 and we should take a moment to reflect on this Great British success story," said Torsten Muller-Otvos, Rolls CEO.

- This made me laugh out loud, and then cry a little......

[Frimley111R]

AlpinaB5s said:

"We had an outstanding year in 2011 and we should take a moment to reflect on this Great British success story," said Torsten Muller-Otvos, Rolls CEO.

- This made me laugh out loud, and then cry a little......

Yep, but its like a Chelski FC. They are mostly foreigners but we still celebrate a British team winning when they do.

[Bebee]

Gentleman, care to spec your car? http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/

[grimsmeister]

The Spirit of WHAT?

[Justices]

A good number of Ghosts about in HK & China now. Very nice lines which I prefer over the Phantom (although nothing says "big boss" like the Phantom". Infinitely more attractive than the Silver Spur too imo.

[Cyder]

I feel like a heathen. But I just don't get RR's, I don't understand the appeal and the looks do nothing for me.

I suppose it's a good thing I'll probably never be in a position to buy one!

However, good on them for doing well, good to see another Engineering company based in the UK having a good year.

[E38Ross]

Will they be brining out a new flagship soon? As said, the phantom is about 10 years old now, but still a remarkable car.

I saw a phantom last year.... That grille is HUGE. Massive presence.

[AyBee]

E38Ross said:

Will they be brining out a new flagship soon? As said, the phantom is about 10 years old now, but still a remarkable car.

I saw a phantom last year.... That grille is HUGE. Massive presence.

That reminds me of a story I was once told about a merc driver in lane 3 flashing slower cars out of it's way. When said Phantom driver saw this, he decided he could be a bully also, sped up behind the merc and flashed, the merc duly moved over

[lovejaps]

i have been in a phantom on a couple of occasions and have got to say they are absolutely stunning cars. have been in a convoy with a gallardo and a f430 and no-one was even looking at the gallardo or ferrari. these cars just have a sort of road presence no other car has!

[Marwood79]

I'm extremely happy that Rolls-Royce has reaffirmed its stately place at the very top of the automotive tree. Both the Phantom and the Ghost are phenominal cars. Well done to everyone concerned.

My only reservation is whether Rolls will now be allowed to nurture its strong market position - focus energies on surpassing the Phantom, or even developing a slightly sportier spin-off - a low-volume £350k 2+2 uber-GT? - but under no circumstances be forced by continuing growth demands to chase the Bentley Continental market.

I firmly believe that the Ghost is where RR should draw the line.

But I already see the $$$$ in their eyes...

[E38Ross]

Marwood79 said:

I'm extremely happy that Rolls-Royce has reaffirmed its stately place at the very top of the automotive tree. Both the Phantom and the Ghost are phenominal cars. Well done to everyone concerned.

My only reservation is whether Rolls will now be allowed to nurture its strong market position - focus energies on surpassing the Phantom, or even developing a slightly sportier spin-off - a low-volume £350k 2+2 uber-GT? - but under no circumstances be forced by continuing growth demands to chase the Bentley Continental market.

I firmly believe that the Ghost is where RR should draw the line.

But I already see the $$$$ in their eyes...

sporty? rolls royce?

i reckon they should make a successor to the phantom.

[sumpoil]

AlpinaB5s said:

"We had an outstanding year in 2011 and we should take a moment to reflect on this Great British success story," said Torsten Muller-Otvos, Rolls CEO.

- This made me laugh out loud, and then cry a little......

.... ditto ....

so cheer yourself up with this little snipit ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EcCYA68m_w&fea...

[pagani1]

Rolls Royce in common with ALL British built prestige brands is having a heatwave. At least they all pay UK taxes (hopefully)and do create prestige and employment. I love to see them on the road. Hooray for the Brits! Sorry Maybach-too dull and Germanic.

[gck303]

Bebee said:

Gentleman, care to spec your car? http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/

What has truly garish set of options. Fit for a saudi price, or footballer.

Is it just me, or are RRs rather tasteless now? Or, have they always been that way?

Nevertheless, it is great to see them doing well.