Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Middle East and Africa (MEA) enjoyed an exceptional 2018 with impressive growth of 32 per cent on the previous year.

Globally, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars achieved the highest annual sales in the marque’s 115-year history in the year, with 4,107 cars delivered to customers in over 50 countries around the world.

In a year of multiple records, the world’s foremost Luxury House also enjoyed unprecedented demand for its Bespoke creations, and launched the new Cullinan – the Rolls-Royce of SUVs – to great international acclaim.

The Middle East also remains the strongest market for Bespoke Rolls-Royce models around the world.

Rolls-Royce Phantom remains the most popular model with customers in the MEA region. The recently launched Cullinan luxury SUV also proved to be exceptionally popular, with significant customer interest and advance orders.

Cullinan scored notable success when it was named “Prestigious Luxury SUV of the Year” at the ArabWheels Car of the Year Awards ceremony held in Dubai in November.

Black Badge models were well received, especially among younger customers who are newly discovering the brand.

Reflecting on the company’s performance for the year, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “2018 was a most successful, record-breaking year for Rolls-Royce. We have seen growth in all our regions around the world. At Rolls-Royce we are deeply focused on each and every one of our customers and are delivering on their demanding expectations. The Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood is acknowledged and celebrated as a global centre of luxury manufacturing excellence, where our skilled, dedicated team create the world’s finest, most sought-after luxury products. We set a formidable mark in 2018: I am confident it will prove the spur to even greater success in 2019.”

The Americas remained the company’s largest market in 2018. Sales also grew across all regions during the year with buoyant customer demand across the model range. Phantom was a major growth driver, flanked by the very contemporary and seductive Wraith and Dawn models.

Bespoke: the pure essence of luxury
Rolls-Royce is Bespoke. The freedom to choose, create and commission beautiful objects is one of life’s great pleasures and Rolls-Royce is, by far, the world’s leading manufacturer in this regard. Through its Bespoke capabilities, Rolls-Royce offers customers near-limitless opportunities to bring their own personal vision to their motor car, reinforcing the marque’s position as the world’s leading Luxury House.

In 2018, Rolls-Royce’s specialist craftspeople delivered some of the most ambitious customer commissions ever undertaken at Goodwood, taking Bespoke design, engineering, materials and methods to new heights of technical and aesthetic brilliance.

Cullinan: a worldwide sensation
Rolls-Royce Cullinan has completely redefined the luxury SUV. The new model received an ecstatic reception from the world’s media at its launch. The very first few cars were delivered to customers in time for Christmas and the forward order book is filling well into the second half of 2019.

Outlook for 2019

The outlook for sales in 2019 is positive due in part to the number of existing and expected orders for Cullinan and Phantom models. Collection and Bespoke Rolls-Royce models are also expected to remain in high demand, said César Habib, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Middle East and Africa.

“2018 was an exceptional year for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Middle East and Africa. “We achieved excellent sales results compared to the previous year due to operational excellence, the dedication of dealers and the strong position and reputation of our brand, in addition to our Bespoke capabilities.

“We look positively to 2019 with strong demand on all our model families, especially Cullinan and Phantom. We are also planning to expand our Bespoke capabilities during the year,” Habib said.