This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jul/08/rolls-royce-engineers-record-car-sales
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Rolls-Royce engineers record car sales - with help from China | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Jennifer Rankin and agencies | |
Rolls-Royce sold more cars in China than the US in the first half of the year, helping the carmaker to report record sales. | |
Sales worldwide this half-year have risen by 33% compared with the January to June period in 2013, with strong growth in Asia Pacific (up nearly 40%) and in the Middle East (up by more than 30%). | |
Rolls-Royce, which is owned by the German carmaker BMW, said demand had been strong for the Wraith, a chunky, gas-guzzling two-door car that retails for around £210,000. It also reported strong orders for the Ghost series II, an updated version of its "entry-level" saloon car that arrives at dealers later this year, and "good demand" for the Phantom, a top-range model that sells for up to £360,000. | |
In Europe, demand for Rolls-Royce cars rose more than 60%, with sales doubling in Germany. The US also recorded double-digit growth. | |
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars chief executive, Torsten Müller-Otvös, said: "This is an excellent half-year result and demonstrates the continued confidence that our customers have in our company and our fine cars. | Rolls-Royce Motor Cars chief executive, Torsten Müller-Otvös, said: "This is an excellent half-year result and demonstrates the continued confidence that our customers have in our company and our fine cars. |
"We are on target for another record year in 2014." | "We are on target for another record year in 2014." |
The BMW Group also reported strong sales for BMW and Mini cars around the world. Combined sales were up 18% in Asia, 5% in the US and 2% in Europe, helping the group to sell a record-breaking 1m-plus cars in the first half of 2014. |