Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to Expand UK Manufacturing Plant

The United States was the largest market for Rolls-Royce in 2010, where its cars start at more than $245,000.

Rolls-Royce will expand its Goodwood plant in the West Sussex region of the UK starting later this year.  The construction includes an increase in size by more than 2500 square meters for the so called Assembly Hall, completing the final phase of development from original site plans for the production area, which were put on hold as the global financial markets collapsed in late 2007 and 2008. A new addition will also increase the Surface Finish Center by more than 640 square meters.

The expansion of the BMW owned company  follows from what Rolls-Royce characterizes as significant growth in worldwide sales during the last 18 months, including record sales of 2,711 models in 2010, and a greater demand from customers for customized Rolls-Royce Ghost and Phantom models. Total investment in the project will be about £10 million, which will be completed in late 2012.

The expansion includes an increase in size by more than 2500 square meters for the Assembly Hall, completing the final phase of development from original site plans for the production area. A new extension will also increase the Surface Finish Centre by more than 640 square meters. Total investment will be about £10 million.

The ultra luxury automobile business is showings signs of recovery, but automakers remain cautious about the outlook.

The United States was the largest market for Rolls-Royce in 2010, where its cars start at more than $245,000. Asia-Pacific was the largest regional market, with China as the German company’s second-largest market, followed in decreasing order by Britain, the United Arab Emirates and Japan.

The new space, and a number of additional infrastructure changes, will allow the company’s manufacturing and so called Bespoke (customization in British English) operation to expand significantly. Bespoke allows Rolls-Royce customers “the luxury to commission motor cars that suit their personal lifestyles and creative desires, transforming super-luxury cars into unique hand-crafted masterpieces which are as individual as their owner’s fingerprint,” Rolls said in a statement.

This year, Rolls-Royce said it has seen a significant increase in demand for personalized bespoke models, and the company recently announced a doubling in the number of Bespoke experts throughout the business.

“We continue to see increased demand from customers all over the world and the new facilities will allow us to increase the capacity for our hand-built, highly personalized motor cars,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Automotive products remain the UK’s largest manufactured export – in 2010 the UK auto sector exported over £27 billion-worth of vehicles and parts. (See also Mini Shows $52,000 Goodwood Version at Pebble Beach and Rolls-Royce to Debut Electric Phantom Concept at Geneva )