Rolls-Royce production at maximum, still can't meet demand

Posted Mon Oct 8 2007 1:46 PM by Nelson Ireson

Rolls-Royce production at maximum, still can't meet demand

Despite a global downturn in auto sales in general, Rolls-Royce is working at full steam just to meet demand. The Goodwood maker has already added shifts and lengthened working hours, and still production can barely keep up.

New quarterly sales figures released today show Rolls-Royce to be 22% ahead of 2006 sales, month-for-month. In fact, sales have been so brisk that the Phantom Drophead Coupe is backlogged until the end of 2008, while the sedan is sold out until at least second quarter of next year. Total sales for 2006 numbered just 805 cars, but with price tags sometimes reaching US$500,000 or more, and base prices above $300,000, even small volumes generate a lot of revenue. Based on the increase over last year, production should exceed 1000 for the first time in 2007.

Even more amazingly, given the state of the rest of the industry, sales are expected to continue growing, thanks in part to the new coupe to be based on the 101EX concept unveiled at Geneva last year.

Rolls-Royce is looking to meet the intense demand not necessarily by grossly increasing production, but by improving products and adding depth to is model lineup. More changes and plans for expansion at Goodwood are in store, although the company is being coy about specifics for the time being.

Reader Comments

  • Mon Oct 8 2007 6:09 PM

    HECTOR says

    *Rolls-Royce production at maximum, still can’t meet demand*

    All that means is that there are many people out there with more money than taste.

  • Mon Oct 8 2007 7:35 PM

    Gus says

    I'd agree. With the same money I would certainly buy something else. Like an Ariel Atom and a yacht... :)

  • Mon Oct 8 2007 8:24 PM

    rickybobby says

    hmm
    ariel atom and a yacht?
    bit different than buying a rolls
    but if you would rather drive around in the open in an uncomfortable track car than a v12 powered super luxury car be my guest
    probably just a lot of rap artist and rockers needing cars for their videos

  • Mon Oct 8 2007 10:10 PM

    Gus says

    Can you say Sultan?

  • Tue Oct 9 2007 9:01 AM

    Ryanza says

    imho this car shows 2 fingers to..... EVERY1!!!:D
    If I had the do$h it'd be my ride!

  • Tue Oct 9 2007 10:09 AM

    admin says

    Sadly, you can't buy a very nice yacht with the amount of money this costs.

  • Tue Oct 9 2007 10:49 AM

    Gus says

    Sure you can. There's a 45 footer for sale here in Newport Beach for that same amount...

  • Wed Oct 10 2007 5:41 AM

    car fan says

    a bit misleading ... demand might be 5 cars a year and capacity might be 4 cars per year, thus they can't keep with demand.

    In any case, (if I could afford one) I would much prefer a Bentley!

  • Wed Oct 10 2007 5:59 AM

    MARIO says

    Rolls is a classic and it's certainly sign of a great taste.

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