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Tag: Rolls-Royce

  • The Peninsula London Wraps Six Fleet Vehicles in Art Ahead of Frieze

    The Peninsula London Wraps Six Fleet Vehicles in Art Ahead of Frieze

    The Peninsula London transformed six fleet vehicles into moving art installations for October. The hotel partnered with Brooklyn artist Eden Kozokaro ahead of the Frieze London art fair.

    Custom vinyl wraps now cover two Rolls-Royce Phantom IIs and a Bentley Bentayga. The lineup also includes an electrified Austin Taxi, a BMW i7 and a London Electric Vehicle Company hybrid model.

    Custom wraps across six vehicle models

    Kozokaro, known professionally as Kozo, designed original scenes depicting British pastoral landscapes beneath an illustrated torn-paper exterior. The visuals simulate peeled pages of Peninsula stationery. Parklands, rivers, wooded hills and country estates show across the green coachwork.

    Detailing specialists at Topaz adapted the artwork to each model’s dimensions before applying the bespoke wraps. Preparation took three months. Work began with digital sketches aligned with the contours, doors and reflectors of each vehicle.

    “The collection brings past and present into conversation, creating unexpected juxtapositions that allow history and myth to feel alive again,” said Kozokaro.

    Extending a signature Hong Kong tradition

    Art consultancy Cart Department organized the collaboration between the hotel and the artist. Founder Larry Warsh linked the installation directly to the brand’s long record of bespoke luxury transport.

    The Peninsula brand built its identity around distinctive green vehicle fleets, starting at its Hong Kong flagship with record fleet purchases of Rolls-Royce Phantoms. Replicating that visual asset in London ties the newer European property to the operating playbook developed across Asian capitals.

    Connecting hospitality fleets with seasonal art traffic

    Vehicle fleets serve as prominent mobile advertising for luxury hoteliers during major cultural weeks when high-net-worth visitors arrive in concentration. Wrapping working guest transport turns routine airport runs and city transfers into visible brand statements without disrupting fleet operations.

    Operators rely on this mix of brand heritage and contemporary art patronage to capture international travelers during premium event weeks. Competing brands face higher marketing hurdles when attempting to stand out around major auctions and exhibitions in mature European markets.

    The rollout schedule for October

    All six wrapped vehicles will operate throughout London during the October art season, ferrying hotel guests and appearing outside exhibition venues across the city.

  • Rolls-royce Unveils Phantom Centenary Collection: An Exquisite Tribute To A Century Of Automotive Excellence

    Rolls-royce Unveils Phantom Centenary Collection: An Exquisite Tribute To A Century Of Automotive Excellence

    Rolls-Royce has introduced the Phantom Centenary Private Collection, a 25-unit series based on the Phantom, in celebration of the model’s 100th anniversary. The automaker describes the collection as the most intricate and technologically advanced private series it has ever produced, with more than 40,000 hours dedicated to its development.

    Exterior Design

    The exterior of the Centenary Private Collection is completed in a classic Black & White style. The paint finish is further enhanced with Rolls-Royce’s Super Champagne Crystal finish, which incorporates champagne-coloured iridescent glass flakes in the clear coat to add an additional layer of depth. The Spirit Of Ecstasy hood ornament is influenced by the original design and is made from 18-carat gold with a 24-carat gold plating. The hood ornament also carries a custom ‘Phantom Centenary’ hallmark from the Hallmarking & Assay Office in London, while the base is completed in enamel. The Rolls-Royce badges and unique ‘Phantom’ wheels are finished in 24-carat gold and white enamel.

    Interior Inspiration

    The interior of the car draws from past Phantom models and honors the company’s founders. The rear seats, inspired by the ‘Phantom of Love’, a custom-made model from 1926, feature artwork embedded into the seat upholstery. This artwork highlights the Phantom’s history and includes depictions of the company’s original Conduit Street premises in London, special Phantom models, and significant Phantom owners over the past century. The seat artwork is a result of a 12-month collaboration with a fashion atelier.

    Thoughtful Details

    The front seats feature laser-etched upholstery with artwork referencing codenames of past Phantoms. The gallery includes 3D-printed brushed aluminium fins arranged vertically, each bearing sculpted letters that form quotes from various reviews over the years. This artwork is backlit, with the lighting programmed to mimic the shimmer of fireworks.

    The doors also showcase remarkable craftsmanship. The rear doors feature artwork depicting landscapes where Sir Henry Royce, the company’s co-founder, had his summer and winter homes, achieved through 3D ink layering, laser etching, and 24-carat gold inlays. The front doors present a depiction of the Goodwood-era Phantom’s Journey across Australia.

    Attention to Every Inch

    Not to be overlooked are the seatback tables, one of which features a wood-inlay representation of the 1925 Phantom 1, while the other shows the current model. This artwork is also carefully embroidered onto the leather-finished back of the table. The Starlight headliner displays floral artwork inspired by the trees at the company’s Goodwood headquarters and references to prior Phantoms.

    Even the engine bay features a bespoke white-finished engine cover with gold inlays, highlighting Rolls-Royce’s attention to detail and commitment to luxury.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the Phantom Centenary Private Collection?
    The Phantom Centenary Private Collection is a 25-unit series based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom, produced to celebrate the nameplate’s 100th anniversary.

    What unique features does the collection have?
    The collection is characterized by its intricate artwork, lavish materials, and advanced technologies. Key features include the Super Champagne Crystal finish, laser-etched upholstery, 3D-printed gallery artwork, and numerous gold inlays.

    What inspired the design of the collection?
    The collection draws inspiration from past Rolls-Royce Phantom models and pays homage to the brand’s founders. The unique artwork embedded into the interior of the cars references the history of the Phantom and the landscapes connected to the company’s co-founder, Sir Henry Royce.

  • Hai Phong port customs look for owner of Rolls-Royce unclaimed for one year

    Hai Phong port customs look for owner of Rolls-Royce unclaimed for one year

    Customs authorities in Hai Phong City’s Dinh Vu Port are looking for the owner of a Rolls-Royce car that has remained unclaimed since being imported in July last year.

    According to the port customs sub-department, after no individuals or organizations came to collect the vehicle, last December it had posted the first notice to find the owner.

    The exporter is Germany’s Hollman International Company, and the recipient is a company with address in the Trung Van urban area in Hanoi.

    Mediterranean Shipping Company had transported it.

    The automobile is at the port’s Tan Cang International Container Terminal.

    A Rolls-Royce Cullinan currently costs over VND40 billion ($1.7 million).

    Past cases of abandoned luxury cars have existed in Hai Phong and Da Nang ports.

    In 2020 Hai Phong customs auctioned a Ferrari after a public notice failed to find its owner for over 90 days.

  • Rolls-Royce Announces Black Badge Ghost

    Rolls-Royce Announces Black Badge Ghost

    The Black Badge has been a highly successful alter ego of Rolls-Royce and it now represents more than 27 percent of commissions worldwide. Rolls-Royce debuted Black Badge with Wraith and Ghost in 2016, followed by Dawn in 2017 then Cullinan in 2019. And now another joins this elite club – the Black Badge Ghost. Conceived in response to a group of clients who requested a Rolls-Royce that was agile, discreet, highly connected and free of any superfluous design, the new Ghost is not just the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet, but also the most aesthetically pure.

    In the twelve months since this motor car has been available, it has become one of the fastest-selling products in the marque’s history, having sold more than 3500 examples worldwide. With the Black Badge Ghost, Rolls-Royce is giving its customers a choice to select any of the marque’s 44,000 colours or create their own entirely unique Bespoke hue.

    To match this dramatic coachwork, the marque’s Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople collaborated to create an entirely customizable process that allows Rolls-Royce hallmarks such as the high-polished Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille to be subverted. Instead of simply painting these components, a specific chrome electrolyte is introduced to the traditional chrome plating process that is co-deposited on the stainless-steel substrate, darkening the finish. Its final thickness is just one micrometer – around one-hundredth of the width of a human hair. Each of these components is precision-polished by hand to achieve a mirror-black chrome finish before it is fitted to the motor car.

    The exterior treatment resolves with a Bespoke 21-inch composite wheelset. Designed in the Black Badge house style and reserved for Black Badge Ghost, the barrel of each wheel is made up of 22 layers of carbon fibre laid on three axes, then folded back on themselves at the outer edges of the rim, forming a total of 44 layers of carbon fiber for greater strength. A 3D-forged aluminum hub is bonded to the rim using aerospace-grade titanium fasteners and finished with the marque’s hallmark Floating Hubcap, ensuring the Double R monogram remains upright at all times. To celebrate the material substance and remarkable surface effect, a lightly tinted lacquer is applied to protect the finish but still allow clients to observe the technical complexity of the wheel’s unique carbon fibre construction.

    Advanced luxury materials have been meticulously created and crafted for a unique ambiance in the interior suite. While recalling the dramatic mechanical intent of Black Badge Ghost, the materials are true to Ghost’s Post Opulent design philosophy – one defined by authenticity and material substance rather than overt statement. In this spirit, a complex but subtle weave that incorporates a deep diamond pattern rendered in carbon and metallic fibres has been created by the marque’s craftspeople.

    Multiple wood layers are pressed onto the interior component substrates, using black Bolivar veneer for the uppermost base layer. This forms a dark foundation for the Technical Fibre layers that follow. Leaves woven from resin-coated carbon and contrasting metal-coated thread laid in a diamond pattern are applied by hand to the components in perfect alignment, creating a three-dimensional effect. To secure this extraordinary veneer, each component is cured for one hour under pressure at 100 degrees Celsius.

    The Black Badge Ghosts comes with a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine pushing out 592 bhp and total torque is now up by 50 Nm to 900 Nm. The powertrain has also received Bespoke transmission and throttle treatments to further enhance the engine’s increased power reserves. The ZF eight-speed gear box and both front- and rear-steered axles work collaboratively to adjust the levels of feedback to the driver, depending on throttle and steering inputs.

    As with all products in the marque’s Black Badge portfolio, the ‘Low’ button situated on the gear selection stalk unlocks Black Badge Ghost’s full suite of technologies. This is asserted by the amplification of the motor car’s engine through an entirely new exhaust system, subtly announcing its potency. All 900Nm of torque is available from just 1700rpm and, once underway in Low Mode, gearshift speeds are increased by 50% when the throttle is depressed to 90%, delivering Black Badge Ghost’s abundant power reserves with dramatic immediacy.

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  • Rolls-Royce supplies power solutions for SpaceDC’s first Indonesian green focused data center facility

    Rolls-Royce supplies power solutions for SpaceDC’s first Indonesian green focused data center facility

    Space officially launched its new ID01 25.45MW data centre campus with Rolls-Royce technology on 4 November 2020. It is the first green-focused data center in Indonesia. With innovative design and infrastructure, SpaceDC enables a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.3, which is changing the industry’s approach to carbon footprint and ensures uptime for the users. Three MTU gas and diesel systems from Rolls-Royce with the latest exhaust after-treatment technology provide efficient and clean base load and emergency power as well as cooling.

    “There is a growing demand for local data centres in Southeast Asia, even more since the Covid-19 crisis”, says Darren Hawkins, CEO of SpaceDC. “With the trend of decarbonization, new concepts of power supply for data centres are at the forefront.” SpaceDC is a data centre provider who aims to lower the environmental impact of data centres. “This company philosophy fits very well with Rolls-Royce’s goal of continuously enhancing the eco-friendliness of our drive and energy systems and bringing them closer to CO2 neutrality,” explains Andreas Görtz, Vice President Power Generation at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

    For the JAK2 facility in Jakarta, Rolls-Royce supplied three containerized gas and diesel systems.

    The diesel systems, which secure the power supply of the data centre, comprise two MTU 20V4000 DS3300 gensets in a 40 ft container with SCR systems to reduce emissions.

    “Reliable backup power is the lifeblood for any data centre – and it is absolutely fundamental in creating a world class facility,” said Darren Hawkins. “In designing our JAK2 data centre, we selected Rolls-Royce, with its MTU products, as our partner because they provide the best in market technology and power efficiency for this data centre, which is aligned with our vision of meeting international standards as part of the overall value proposition to our customers in the region and beyond.”

    A 20-cylinder MTU Series 4000L64 FNER gas genset in a 40ft container is installed as CHP (Combined Heat and Power) application with a total efficiency of above 90%. The system will provide baseload electricity and cooling via an absorption chiller utilising the exhaust gas heat to provide cooling. The MTU gas systems offer best in class power density and have been designed specifically to withstand hot and humid conditions. This is especially crucial for the facility in Jakarta where the climate is tropical almost year-round. The MTU power solutions offer an extended Time Between Overhaul (TBO) of 84,000 hours, requiring less maintenance and overhaul intervals for maximum productivity and reliability.

    “Deploying generators in a tropical environment like Indonesia comes with a unique set of challenges, especially for a data centre environment where uptime is absolutely critical. We’re proud that our Series 4000 generator sets will help SpaceDC meet the special demands of the location and ensure the highest levels of reliability for their customers,” said Andreas Görtz.

    “Working with Space, we’ve seen great synergy in developing complete power generation solutions that are market-leading in terms of efficiency and reliability. And we are proud that they chose us as a partner to support them with our sustainability service and backup power”, said Waluyanto Sukajat, Acting Managing Director, PT. MTU Indonesia.

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  • Rolls-Royce shuts Vietnam dealership

    Rolls-Royce shuts Vietnam dealership

    U.K. luxury car company Rolls-Royce has closed down its dealership in Vietnam and is looking for a new partner to replace it.

    The company said on Tuesday that the dealership, Regal Motor Cars in Hanoi, had not proven as effective as expected.

    However, servicing would remain unaffected for existing customers, with Regal continuing to provide it until the company appoints a new dealer.

    The dealership opened in 2014 with a showroom on Ly Thuong Kiet Street in downtown Hoan Kiem District, and a service center on Nguyen Van Linh Street, Long Bien District.

    But the focus was on servicing existing vehicles rather than selling large numbers immediately.

    There are several hundred Rolls-Royce cars currently in Vietnam, including its latest model, the Cullinan, which costs more than VND32 billion ($1.38 million) for the standard version.

    It is not known if the company is close to finding a new distributor.

    Rolls-Royce is a subsidiary of BMW, the German giant, though the two brands operate independently.

  • Rolls-Royce Announces New Brand Identity

    Rolls-Royce Announces New Brand Identity

    Rolls-Royce has announced its new brand identity and this new identity continues Rolls-Royce’s journey from automotive manufacturer to a house of luxury. In recent years, Rolls-Royce has experienced change at a quicker rate, and with the portfolio of cars now expanded to five models, the company is looking at a diverse and discerning crowd. It is no surprise, therefore, that the age and demographic of the marque’s clients have decreased significantly to an average of just 43.

    Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce, said, “As the marque’s digital presence increases, there has never been a more important time for the visual language of the company to reflect our standing as the leading luxury brand in the world. We have embarked on a fascinating journey of modernizing our brand identity to echo those changes seen in our portfolio, our client demographic, their lifestyle, and the luxury world that surrounds them.”

    Rolls-Royce appointed Marina Willer, partner at Pentagram to create a new brand identity that could move beyond the mechanics of being the ‘Best Car in the World’, and also define the very pillars of luxury the company is known for. Pentagram embarked upon a deep exploration of Rolls-Royce, including its products – both new and old, its design ethos, its designers, clients, and a lot more.

    Willer was able to approach the re-design from a completely fresh perspective and the new look celebrates the luxuriousness of the brand while providing it with the means to visually communicate with Rolls-Royce’s younger, increasingly diversified audiences.

    The Spirit of Ecstasy, which has graced the prow of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since 1911, will now gain increased prominence in the marque’s brand identity. The original figurine was drawn and sculpted by British artist Charles Sykes. In homage to this historical commission, Chris Mitchell, a leading illustrator of brand and identity icons, was called upon by Pentagram to envisage the distilled form of the iconic statuette. Working closely with Pentagram’s direction, Chris, paid close attention to her proportions which embrace strength and power that cannot be deemed fragile or meek. When depicted in two-dimensional form, her direction has changed from left to right, boldly facing the future, reflective of the marque itself.

    When choosing a color palette for the new identity, Pentagram’s design team initially turned its attention to the company’s products. It was drawn to purple hues, specifically those with a deep and majestic tone. Historically rare in nature and with roots in mythology, art, piety and royalty, purple has always signified wealth and power. A metallic Rose Gold is chosen to complement this color.

    The badge, representing Rolls and Royce, the marque’s founding fathers, is known worldwide as a symbol of engineering excellence and the very best of human endeavor. It is no surprise, therefore, that this famed signifier remains unchanged. The Badge of Honour will reside on the marque’s products alone – reserved solely for the precious creations born at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex.

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  • Rolls-Royce New Game Is Inspired By The Wraith Kryptos Collection

    Rolls-Royce New Game Is Inspired By The Wraith Kryptos Collection

    The Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection was unveiled recently and we told you that the folks that buy this limited edition model will be in for a surprise because they get to decode the message that’s in there. But now, Rolls-Royce wants to include others too and that has been made possible thanks to an interactive online game. This will be available on the company’s website for members of the public and enthusiasts around the world to enjoy.

    They can take part in a cryptic challenge, consisting of four levels, each getting progressively harder. The first ten individuals to complete the game will receive their very own personalized Rolls-Royce treadplate.

    An online game has been devised to entertain and amuse Rolls-Royce enthusiasts who will not be lucky enough to attempt to solve and decipher the code of Wraith Kryptos Collection for themselves.

    Consisting of four different levels, players are initially invited to guide an orb through a maze by tilting their mobile device in the direction they wish to travel, in a time-pressured challenge. Next, a series of questions will reveal just how keen the cryptographer player really is.

    The third level will test the observation skills of the participant – only the most cunning will succeed! The final phase consists of cryptographic ciphers, designed to boggle and bewilder. This level is the reserve of the most agile and determined minds alone.

  • Rolls-Royce To Shut Production At Goodwood For 1 Month Over Coronavirus Pandemic

    Rolls-Royce To Shut Production At Goodwood For 1 Month Over Coronavirus Pandemic

    Britain’s Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that the luxury automaker will suspend production at the Goodwood manufacturing facility in the UK for two weeks starting from March 23, 2020. Furthermore, the automaker will keep the facility closed for an additional two week period for the pre-planned Easter maintenance shutdown. The decision to close the plant arises due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus globally, which has affected the production and supply of components to automakers. Moreover, the virus is posing a major health risk, given its airborne nature. With the UK reporting over 2600 cases and about 71 deaths, the country has had to take strict measures to contain the virus.

    Torsten Muller-Otvos, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “This action has not been taken lightly, but the health and well-being of our exceptional workforce is first and foremost in our minds.  We are a tight-knit community at the Home of Rolls-Royce and I have no doubt that our resilience will shine through during this extraordinary time. As a deeply customer-focused company, we are aware that this decision to pause our production will possibly cause some discomfort or inconvenience to a few of our esteemed patrons, for which we apologize while seeking their understanding at this difficult time.”

    Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood plant employs about 2000 personnel with each of the cars hand-built

    Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce has said that day-to-day operations of the company will be assured by non-production employees who will remain at work at the company’s head office on the Goodwood Estate or who will work from home on a rotational basis. The company has engaged social distancing measures, it said in a statement.

    More recently, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked automakers including Rolls-Royce, Ford and Honda to build medical equipment to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK government also said it will take support from the defense industry to build healthcare equipment to meet the increasing number of cases. Apart from Rolls-Royce, Nissan, BMW and Toyota among others have also announced plant closures in the UK, leaving Jaguar Land Rover and Honda with operational facilities. The closure will affect about 17,000 employees and production across the auto sector.

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  • Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet Roadster Teased

    Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet Roadster Teased

    Rolls-Royce is all set to introduce its first collection car of the new decade. It’s the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection and according to the company it is an ode ‘to decadence, to frivolity, to heady heydays and irreverent past times’. It’s basically the open-top roadster iteration of Dawn, and Rolls-Royce teased the car and we’ll know more about it very soon.

    A quilted transmission tunnel, with design cues taken from the leather jacket, runs through the center of the cabin in a tailored fashion.

    Drawing inspiration from the roadsters of the 1920’s -the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection looks seductive and cool too. It comes with a newly commissioned ultra-metallic silver paint finish which looks fantastic on the car. The aero cowling gives the Dawn Silver Bullet a high-shouldered silhouette. The rakish silver center spine brings the bodywork into the cabin, giving it the intimate, connected feel of a true two-seater.

    A behind-the-scenes look at Sunseeker, Britain’s biggest superyacht builder.

    It comes with a newly commissioned ultra-metallic silver paint finish which looks fantastic on the car.

    The Dawn Silver Bullet Collection features dark exterior detailing; dark headlights and a new dark front bumper finisher. The wheels are part-polished and offer a translucent shadow finish with a single silver pinstripe.

    Inside, the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection comes with an open-pore carbon fiber fascia. A quilted transmission tunnel, with design cues taken from the leather jacket, runs through the center of the cabin in a tailored fashion.

    Only 50 examples of this car will be made and we are sure there are plenty out there who want to scoop up this two-seater roadster from Rolls-Royce

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  • Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VIII Collection Unveiled

    Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VIII Collection Unveiled

    It’s always a moment when Rolls-Royce shows a new ‘art-on-wheels’ to the world and more so when it’s a special edition. The luxury carmaker has unveiled the Wraith Eagle VIII Collection on the shores of Lake Como at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and says that the car will tell the tale of one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th Century. Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown flew the first non-stop transatlantic flight in June, 1919. Contemporaries of Sir Henry Royce, Alcock and Brown flew non-stop from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Clifden, Ireland in a modified First World War Vickers Vimy bomber aircraft which was powered by a 350 bhp, 20.3-litre Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines.

    Rolls-Royce marks the 100 year anniversary of this feat with a highly personalized Collection edition of the Wraith. The car is finished in Selby Gray upper two-tone with a contrasting brass feature line. Vanes on the iconic grille up front are finished in black and the alloy wheels are polished in a translucent shadow finish.

    The inside of the Wraith Eagle VIII collection will give you a different feel altogether. Don’t mistake it for any change in the design as the layout of the cabin remains untouched, however, the difference is in the treatment. It is draped in Selby grey and black leather with brass inserts to mirror the outside Hue. The speaker covers too are finished in brass which further extends to the door panniers. The driver side door includes a brass plaque with Sir Winston Churchill’s quote commending the achievement of the duo pilots who flew across the vast stretch of the Atlantic. The clock has an iced background effect which glows a faint green light in the night while driving.

    Rolls-Royce will handcraft just 50 units of the Wraith Eagle VIII Collection which will use the same 624 bhp, 6.6-litre V12 motor that powers the standard Rolls-Royce Wraith.

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  • Rolls-Royce Appoints Jozef Kaban As The Head Of Design

    Rolls-Royce Appoints Jozef Kaban As The Head Of Design

    Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has appointed Jozef Kaban as the new design chief. 46-year-old Kaban who was earlier the Head of Design Studio at its parent company- BMW started working with the Group two years back in 2017. Kaban started his career as a car designer with the Volkswagen Group after he graduated from the Royal College of Art, London in 1997 and in 1998 he got the project lead for the iconic Bugatti Veyron.

    On Kaban’s joining, Torsten Muller-Otvos, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “I am delighted to announce that Jozef Kaban has been appointed Head of Design. He is an exceptionally talented designer with a strong track record and a wide breadth of ability. It is testament to the success of our business that, as the world’s leading luxury house, we are able to attract the world’s very best design talent.” He continued, “This is an exciting time for our brand and I look forward to welcoming Jozef to the Rolls-Royce family.”

    Prior to joining the BMW Group, Kaban worked as a lead designer of Exterior roles, first at Audi AG and then Skoda Auto.

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  • Rolls-Royce agrees to follow Korea’s lemon law

    Rolls-Royce agrees to follow Korea’s lemon law

    Rolls-Royce announced Wednesday it will follow Korea’s voluntary lemon law for automakers, making it the first foreign luxury brand to accept the newly introduced regulation. Korea’s revised automobile management law, enacted last month, forces complying automakers to replace or refund recently purchased vehicles that repeatedly exhibit problems, similar to lemon laws in the United States.

    While most local automakers have adopted the rule, Volvo has been the only overseas brand to do so.

    The U.K.-based automaker said it will abide by the country’s revised auto guidelines to strengthen its quality commitment to Korean customers.

    “Rolls-Royce will be the first luxury brand to accept the amended automobile management act,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos at a launch event on Wednesday for the automaker’s showroom in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul.

    “It is our responsibility … to reassure our Korean customers that we will stand by our promise of ultimate quality,” added Muller-Otvos.

    Foreign automakers’ reputations took a blow in Korea last year. BMW Korea conducted two series of recalls after its vehicles began bursting into flames due to component defects.

    The Korean unit of Mercedes-Benz was fined 2.8 billion won ($2.5 million) in December for violating environmental and customs law regarding emissions certifications.

    BMW was fined for similar reasons at the start of this year.

    The quality push from Rolls-Royce comes as the luxury automaker achieved record sales figures last year in the Korean market as foreign imported vehicles continue to grow in popularity.

    According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, Rolls-Royce sales in the domestic market grew 43 percent to 123 units last year from 86 in 2017. Foreign auto imports increased by 11.8 percent.

    The luxury automaker’s performance in the Korean market last year outpaced its 22 percent growth in global sales.

    According to Rolls-Royce, the brand’s sales grew at a rapid pace in Korea last year thanks to an expanded lineup, including the Phantom.

    The CEO said he expects the company’s performance in the country to continue to improve.

    “Korea is a very important cornerstone in our Asia strategy,” said Muller-Otvos. “We might even see at a certain moment Korea overtaking the Japanese business in terms of size.”

    The luxury automaker’s chief also emphasized the automaker’s commitment to the luxury sector as the auto industry braces for major changes.

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  • Rolls-Royce to bring limited-edition model to Korea

    Rolls-Royce to bring limited-edition model to Korea

    Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the luxury car brand under the BMW Group, said Wednesday it will introduce one of its 35 limited-edition Silver Ghost Collection models in South Korea this month. Rolls-Royce made the limited edition cars to pay homage to the original Silver Ghost from the early 1990s. The car makes use of real silver accents in its interior and exterior to set it apart.

    The forest green-colored limited version to be sold in Seoul carries the phrases “Silver Ghost Since 1907” and “Silver Ghost Collection – One of Thirty-Five” in the car’s interior, the company said in a statement.

    Rolls-Royce began selling its vehicles in Korea 15 years ago. Its current lineup includes the Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn and Cullinan.

    In 2018, the carmaker sold 123 Rolls-Royce vehicles in Korea, up 43 percent from 86 a year earlier, according to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association.

    Prices and other details were not provided for the limited-edition model.

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  • Davidoff & Sparkle Roll seal huge China deal

    Davidoff & Sparkle Roll seal huge China deal

    Oettinger Davidoff AG and the Hong Kong listed Sparkle Roll Group have rubber stamped their earlier agreed multi-million dollar Davidoff cigar and cigar accessories joint venture for China, with Davidoff taking 49.9 % and Sparkle Roll 50.1%.

    While the framework agreement was announced several months ago, the development is nevertheless a huge commitment for both companies with Oettinger Davidoff agreeing to subscribe for 499 Shares in the New Joint Venture Company, representing 49.9% of the total number of the issued shares at a total purchase price of US$1.497m (equivalent to approximately HK11.677m).

    For its part, Sparkle Roll/CGL is subscribing for 501 Shares representing the 50.1% balance at a total purchase price of US$1.503m (equivalent to approximately HK$11.723m).

    Commenting on the landmark arrangement, Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard (left), CEO and Board member of Oettinger Davidoff AG, said: “The signing of this Joint Venture agreement heralds a new era in our relationship with Sparkle Roll and in our commitment to building the Davidoff business in China.

    “This market represents the single largest business opportunity for Davidoff in our time and I am convinced that with this new Joint Venture we will be able to exploit that opportunity to its fullest.”

    Mr. Tong Kai Lap, Chairman of Sparkle Roll, said: “Since the individual customers of Sparkle Roll’s existing principal business in top-tier automobiles are predominantly people with high spending power, the Joint Venture will create synergies for both companies. The end products in both businesses are perceived to have the same target customer group and market positioning in the premium segment.”

    The Sparkle Roll Group’s business reads like the Who’s Who of the luxury goods industry, with its main business principally engaged in the trading of top-tier automobiles, high-end watches and jewellery, fine wines and other branded consumer goods in the PRC, Hong Kong, Macau and Malaysia. It also operates dealerships for top-tier automobiles such as Bentley in Beijing and Tianjin, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce in Beijing.

    The original announcement relating to this deal was made earlier this year and referred to in Davidoff’s results statement earlier this year.

    The first part of a comprehensive interview with Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard also appeared in the September issue of TRBusiness, with the second due to appear in the October TFWA show issue in a few week’s time.

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    Lees ook: