Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd plans to expand the $245,000 Ghost model line that went on sale last year as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s ultra-luxury nameplate aims to double sales in 2010.
“I’m quite confident that we’re going to see a Ghost derivative to come,” Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Officer Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes said in an interview at the car maker’s headquarters in Goodwood, England. “There’s still a lot of potential in the market” for a less formal Rolls model.
Rolls-Royce, which competes with Volkswagen AG’s Bentley and Daimler AG’s Maybach, is known for its hand-craftsmanship and what enthusiasts call a “magic carpet” ride because of the car’s smooth on-the-road handling. Munich-based BMW bought the rights to Rolls-Royce cars for 45 million pounds ($70 million) in 1998 and re-launched the brand at a new factory in 2003.
The Ghost is Rolls-Royce’s second product line after the stately Phantom, which starts at $380,000. Even with its cheaper price tag, the smaller model, which is 5.4 meters (17.7 feet) in length, will boost operating profit, Mueller-Oetvoes said.
The Ghost has spurred growth for the exclusive marque after the financial crisis depressed sales 17 per cent in 2009. Rolls- Royce delivered 1,467 cars through August, already surpassing the record since BMW took over of 1,212 in all of 2008. The company aims to sell at least 2,000 cars in 2010, after delivering 1,002 last year.
