- Annual sales of 5,152 units are the highest in the marque’s 116-year history
- Sales reflect growth of 25% on 2018’s previous record of 4,107
- Significant sales growth recorded in all regions worldwide
- Exceptional customer demand for Cullinan and Black Badge models supports strong and steady demand across all product families
- Spectacular Bespoke commissions and Collection Cars reaffirm Rolls-Royce’s status as the world’s foremost manufacturer of super-luxury products
- Significant new investment in manufacturing plant at Goodwood and new jobs created to meet expanded global demand
- Record number of Apprenticeship Programme recruits in 2019
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has delivered a historic annual sales record in 2019, with a global performance unequalled in the company’s 116-year history. A total of 5,152 cars were delivered to customers in over 50 countries around the world, an increase of 25% on the previous high set in 2018. With these historic results, Rolls-Royce continues to make a meaningful contribution to the overall performance of its shareholder, BMW Group.
Commenting on the results, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “This performance is of an altogether different magnitude to any previous year’s sales success. For any manufacturer to deliver growth of 25%, in any year, would be a remarkable achievement: to do so in the face of strong headwinds and growing global uncertainty is, I think, a feat without precedent. It is a ringing testament to the quality and integrity of our products, the faith and passion of our customers and, above all, the skill, dedication and determination of our exceptional team at Goodwood and around the world.”
Worldwide Sales Growth
Sales grew across all regions during the year, driven by strong customer demand for all Rolls-Royce models. The company reported record sales in every one of its key global markets, with North America retaining top status (around 33% of global sales) followed closely by China (sales up 25% on 2018). Individual countries that achieved record sales results included Russia, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Qatar and Korea.
In 2019, Rolls-Royce motor cars were sold in more than 50 countries worldwide through a global network of dealerships. As part of its commitment to long-term sustainable growth, Rolls-Royce announced two new dealerships during 2019 – Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Brisbane and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Shanghai Pudong - bringing the total to 135 dealerships worldwide.
In Thailand, Rolls-Royce showed positive growth in sales throughout 2019. This was a result of sustained interest across the model range, and exciting customer demand for Cullinan.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok, the only authorised importer for the super-luxury marque in Thailand, capped off the year with the stunning reveal of Wraith Eagle VIII, a highly-Bespoke creation from Goodwood homologated specifically for Thailand with a full regional warranty and a suite of aftersales support.
All Models Achieved Global Growth Records
Phantom retains its rightful place as the company’s pinnacle product, with Dawn and Wraith continuing to dominate in their respective sectors; strong demand was experienced for all three models during the year. Cullinan, the marque’s astounding new SUV, successfully translated the media plaudits and public acclaim of 2018 into the largest advance order book and fastest post-launch sales growth of any Rolls-Royce model in history.
The fervour throughout the year around the arrival of Cullinan was matched only by the media and public sensation that was occasioned by the launch of Cullinan Black Badge, “The King of the Night”, in November. This completed the Black Badge family of unapologetic, dynamic products created for an emerging generation of super-luxury consumer; people who refuse to be defined by traditional codes of luxury, follow their own path and make their own rules.
Every inch a Rolls-Royce, delivering luxury in its most distilled form, Cullinan Black Badge offers new degrees of attitude and performance to these younger, highly discerning and demanding customers.
Farewell to Ghost – But Not for Long!
2019 marked the end of Ghost production after 11 years of uninterrupted commercial and critical success. Since its launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, Ghost has established itself as an undisputed modern classic.
The most popular Rolls-Royce model of the Goodwood era, Ghost attracted to the Rolls-Royce brand a new audience of younger, often self-made, entrepreneurial customers. An extended wheelbase version was introduced in 2011 and an updated Ghost Series II was unveiled in Geneva in 2014. The last Ghost of the current generation left the Goodwood production line in late 2019.
Ghost’s successor, due for launch in 2020 after five years in development, will elevate the Ghost name, and the company itself, to new heights of perfection and ambition in design, engineering, materials and driving dynamics.
Bespoke: The Jewel in the Crown of Rolls-Royce
Global demand for Rolls-Royce Bespoke reached a new peak in 2019. The Bespoke collective at The Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, comprises of several hundred creative designers, engineers and craftspeople.
These highly talented people take enormous pride in fulfilling unprecedented levels of customer requests for Bespoke personalisation features and details, and delivering on spectacular individual commissions such as Rose Phantom.
Undisputed global leaders in their pursuit of perfection, the Bespoke Collective captured the imagination of customers, enthusiasts, media and fans alike in 2019 with some of the most spectacular Collection cars ever created in the history of the brand. Bespoke IS Rolls-Royce!
An Expanding Family
At more than 2,000 strong, with over 50 nationalities represented, the workforce at the Home of Rolls-Royce is now at its largest since the opening of Rolls-Royce’s global centre for luxury manufacturing excellence, in 2003.
Confidence in the future
The year saw significant new investment in the manufacturing plant at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, reaffirming both the company’s commitment to its UK operations and its buoyant outlook for the years ahead.
In closing, Mr Müller-Ötvös said, “There is no other company like Rolls-Royce: we are all conscious of what a privilege it is to design, build and deliver the best car in the world for our customers. PersonalIy, I continue to feel honoured and humbled to have led this great company for the past decade.”
- Ends -
Editors’ notes:
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems. Over 2,000 skilled men and women are employed at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ head office and manufacturing plant at Goodwood, West Sussex, the only place in the world where the company’s super-luxury motor cars are hand-built.
Further information:
You can find all our press releases and press kits, as well as a wide selection of high resolution, downloadable photographs and video footage at our media website, PressClub. You can also find the communications team at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars on Twitter and Instagram
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok
The sole authorised Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealer in Thailand is operated by Goodwood Autowork Co., Ltd.
Through the sole authorised dealer, a Rolls-Royce owner will receive support and advice on all aspects of their motor car and a comprehensive four-year ownership package, including unlimited mileage warranty, service inclusive package and roadside assistance, access to Rolls-Royce genuine parts and regular software updates.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok personnel are the only official Rolls-Royce trained technicians in Thailand. They have access to the most innovative diagnostic service equipment available, and regular, ongoing training means they are always on top of the latest technology.
