Amidst a turbulent economy, Rolls-Royce has possibly achieved the impossible by delivering a record number of cars in a single year.
The 12 months across 2022 saw the ultra-luxury marque sending 6,021 units out to its uber-wealthy clientele - an 8% increase over 2021. More importantly, this marks the first time in the firm's 118-year history that it has eclipsed the 6,000 figure in sales within a calendar year.
The Cullinan solidified its status as Rolls-Royce's "most in-demand model" worldwide in 2022 Growth was witnessed across almost all regions, particularly in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the U.S.A. The Americas remains Rolls-Royce's largest region, while the U.K. and Germany were noted as countries with the most demand within Europe.
As a result of ongoing headwinds, Greater China saw a single-digit drop in sales, although Rolls-Royce was quick to note that this was easily counterbalanced by growth elsewhere. The region still ranks as the second-largest market for the firm.
Showing that the bet on an SUV is paying off, the Cullinan solidified its status as Rolls-Royce's "most in-demand" model worldwide, although the Ghost was most favoured within Asia-Pacific specifically. Concurrently, the Black Badge model series - what the firm refers to as its "more rebellious alter ego" - was also more sought after in 2022.
Otvos: "Record sales, although gratifying, are not our sole measure of success" Speaking to the media for the firm's 2022 Sales Results Announcement, Torsten-Muller Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, nonetheless emphasised: "Record sales, although gratifying, are not our sole measure of success".
The firm has instead pointed to the fact that its Bespoke commissions also reached their highest value in the company's history for 2022. As a result of the "almost endless possibilities for Bespoke personalisation", clients were willing to shell out around half a million Euros on average (more than $711,000) for a unique car.
Specifically, Bespoke commissions were led by customers in the Middle East. 2022 was also the year when Rolls-Royce opened its groundbreaking invitation-only Private Office in Dubai - the first time it has done so outside its headquarters, the Home of Goodwood (coincidentally, celebrating its 20th year anniversary of the start of production in 2023).
The yacht-inspired Rolls-Royce Boat Tails take exclusivity to even further extremes - only three exist Rolls-Royce says that its Bespoke offering remains unrivalled in the market, and has promised to introduce more Private Offices in the future.
2022 was a significant year for Rolls-Royce in other arenas. Perhaps making even its Bespoke commissions look 'normal', yet another chapter of the firm's Boat Tail coachbuilt commissions one of just three that have been, and ever will be made - was unveiled.
On the note of the Boat Tail commission, the firm called its Coachbuild arm the "apex of [its] craft and… a key element in the company's long-term strategy". Further projects along this ultra-exclusive line are apparently already in development.
The Spectre is Rolls-Royce's first electric coupe, and will build towards its fully-electric future in the 2030s Equally significant was the debut of the Rolls-Royce Spectre in October 2022 - the firm's first all-electric coupe. Trading its famed V12 engine for the silence of a 569bhp electric motor, the Spectre has apparently already exceeded the company's expectations in terms of demand, and is slated to reach customer garages as soon as Q4 2023.
As the brand's customer base continues to change, 2023 is set to be yet another bumper year for Rolls-Royce, with the firm revealing that advance orders are already flying in.
Above all, however, the marque is still clear that it is not - and will never be - a volume manufacturer. Calling the Bespoke program "fundamental to our promise", Otvos declared: "Exclusivity will always be our focus."
The 12 months across 2022 saw the ultra-luxury marque sending 6,021 units out to its uber-wealthy clientele - an 8% increase over 2021. More importantly, this marks the first time in the firm's 118-year history that it has eclipsed the 6,000 figure in sales within a calendar year.
As a result of ongoing headwinds, Greater China saw a single-digit drop in sales, although Rolls-Royce was quick to note that this was easily counterbalanced by growth elsewhere. The region still ranks as the second-largest market for the firm.
Showing that the bet on an SUV is paying off, the Cullinan solidified its status as Rolls-Royce's "most in-demand" model worldwide, although the Ghost was most favoured within Asia-Pacific specifically. Concurrently, the Black Badge model series - what the firm refers to as its "more rebellious alter ego" - was also more sought after in 2022.
The firm has instead pointed to the fact that its Bespoke commissions also reached their highest value in the company's history for 2022. As a result of the "almost endless possibilities for Bespoke personalisation", clients were willing to shell out around half a million Euros on average (more than $711,000) for a unique car.
Specifically, Bespoke commissions were led by customers in the Middle East. 2022 was also the year when Rolls-Royce opened its groundbreaking invitation-only Private Office in Dubai - the first time it has done so outside its headquarters, the Home of Goodwood (coincidentally, celebrating its 20th year anniversary of the start of production in 2023).
2022 was a significant year for Rolls-Royce in other arenas. Perhaps making even its Bespoke commissions look 'normal', yet another chapter of the firm's Boat Tail coachbuilt commissions one of just three that have been, and ever will be made - was unveiled.
On the note of the Boat Tail commission, the firm called its Coachbuild arm the "apex of [its] craft and… a key element in the company's long-term strategy". Further projects along this ultra-exclusive line are apparently already in development.
As the brand's customer base continues to change, 2023 is set to be yet another bumper year for Rolls-Royce, with the firm revealing that advance orders are already flying in.
Above all, however, the marque is still clear that it is not - and will never be - a volume manufacturer. Calling the Bespoke program "fundamental to our promise", Otvos declared: "Exclusivity will always be our focus."
