|
Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce
Motor Cars is a BMW subsidiary responsible for the
manufacture of the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
History
In
1998, owners Vickers decided to sell Rolls-Royce Motors.
The most likely buyer was BMW, who already supplied
engines and other components for Rolls-Royce and Bentley
cars, but BMW's final offer of £340m was beaten
by Volkswagen's £430m.
However
Rolls-Royce plc, the aero-engine maker, decided it
would license certain essential trademarks (the Rolls-Royce
name and logo) not to VW but to BMW, with whom it
had recently had joint business ventures. VW had bought
rights to the "Spirit Of Ecstasy" hood ornament
and the shape of the radiator grille, but it lacked
rights to the Rolls-Royce name necessary to build
the cars. Likewise, BMW lacked rights to the grille
and mascot. BMW bought an option on the trademarks,
licensing the name and "RR" logo for £40m,
a deal that many commentators thought was a bargain
for possibly the most valuable property in the deal.
VW claimed that it had only really wanted Bentley
anyway.
BMW
and VW arrived at a solution. From 1998 to 2002 BMW
would continue to supply engines for the cars and
would allow use of the names, but this would cease
on January 1, 2003. On that date, only BMW would be
able to name cars "Rolls-Royce", and VW's
former Rolls-Royce/Bentley division would build only
cars called "Bentley". Rolls Royce's convertible,
the Corniche, ceased production in 2002.
Cars
2003
Phantom — Launched in January 2003 at Detroit's
North American International Auto Show, this is the
first model from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, a
BMW subsidiary having no technical or corporate connection
with the original Rolls-Royce company apart from the
trademarks mentioned above. The car has a 6.75 L V12
engine from BMW, but most other components are unique
to the car. Unlike the MINI (which is 90% engineered
and manufactured in the UK) most parts are made in
Germany, although the assembly and finishing is done
in a new factory in Goodwood, Sussex. The cars are
available in normal and extended wheelbase, and prices
start at about £250,000.
2006
- 2010 — Rolls Royce announced in September 2006
that it will develop a new 4-door model positioned
below the Phantom and with a price range between US$230,000
and US$330,000. It is also working to develop a production
version of its 101EX concept. (Credit:
Wikipedia).
Websites
Rolls
Royce Motors
Rolls
Royce
Profiles
Motor
Vehicles Luxury Directory
|
