Stellar year for Rolls-Royce in 2015

With an illustrious story spanning some 112-years in the making, it’s few and far in-between that a company achieves such success in the span of just 12 months – made even more significant when the company in question is arguably the pinnacle of motoring super-luxury.

A total of 3785 Rolls-Royce motor cars were hand-built and commissioned by owners in 2015 – marking the second best year in the firm’s 112-year history. This comes on the back of strong growth patterns North America, Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

Commenting on the company’s achievement is CEO Torsten-Müller-Ötvös; “2015 was a year of tremendous challenge for the entire luxury industry. I am very proud of our success which was achieved against a backdrop of considerable global uncertainty. We have proven that our long-term strategy of globally balanced, sustainable and profitable growth is delivering and we have maintained our position as the world’s leading luxury manufacturer. I am quietly confident of a strong year in 2016.”

Record sales were reported in Asia Pacific (up 13%), the Middle East (up 4%) and North America (up 6%). Individual markets that recorded record results included Korea (up 73%), Japan (up 7%), Qatar (up 21%), Russia (up 1%), UK (up 2%) and USA (up 7%). Emerging markets such as Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Kazakhstan all showed promising growth. In China however, trade uncertainties and the regional market slowdown did not spare Rolls-Royce, which suffered sales drop of 54%.

Sales were predominantly driven by the Wraith and Ghost family, while the Phantom remains unchallenged at the very top of uber-luxury motoring. The Rolls-Royce Dawn also made its world debut in this challenging year – simultaneously opening the brand up to a younger generation of owners. Note too, nearly every Phantom, Ghost and Wraith that left the gates of Rolls-Royce in 2015 with specially commissioned Bespoke design elements further reinforcing the marque’s status as the leading purveyor of hand-crafted super-luxury, unchallenged in the ‘+ (€) 200,000’ segment.

Contributing to the success and robust sustainable growth policy, is Rolls-Royce’s commitment to its dealer network, a further five were commissioned in 2015, taking the tally to 1300 dealerships worldwide. The expansion also included the new Technology and Logistics Centre (TLC) at Bognor Regis. The purpose-built 30,000m2 facility formally opened for business, on schedule, on 4 January 2016. Finally the Provenance (pre-owned) program services through the company’s Fianancial Services Programmes have enjoyed great success in opening the marque up wider, aspiring Rolls-Royce owners. ARVIND KUMAR