BMW’s Rolls-Royce has hit record sales numbers for a fifth consecutive year with 4,063 cars sold worldwide in 2014, sales have now more than quadrupled since 2009.
The luxury carmaker reported double-digit growth in most regions with North America up 30%, the Middle East increasing 20% and Europe rising 40%. In the US, the largest market, volume rose 13%.
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The best selling dealership last year was in Abu Dhabi and the brand opened six new outlets including Mexico City, Calgary, Canada and Gold Coast, Australia. It now has 127 and further expansion is planned for 2015.
Chief executive officer Torsten Müller-Ötvös said: “Rolls-Royce broke through the 4,000 car sales level for the first time in its 111-year history. The result confirms that our strategy of balanced, sustainable and profitable growth is delivering and that it remains the world’s leading luxury goods brand.”
Sales were driven by strong orders for the Ghost Series II, launched in November, and Wraith, which enjoyed its first full year of sales. So-called bespoke collections including Waterspeed, Pinnacle Travel and Metropolitan plus unique models such as the Maharaja Phantom Drophead Coupé also contributed to the company’s success.
Last year was also the first in which every Phantom, and the majority of Ghost and Wraith models, left the Goodwood factory in West Sussex, England with significant personalisation.
To meet demand, particularly for bespoke cars, the company created over 200 new permanent jobs in the past 18 months. More than 1,500 people are now employed at Goodwood. The carmaker also announced plans for its new technology and logistics centre at Bognor Regis, close to Goodwood. Construction of the new 30,000 sq m facility, which is due to open in 2016, is under way and around 200 new and existing staff will be employed there.
