Despite the pandemic, Rolls-Royce is selling more cars than ever before.
The legendary luxury brand delivered 1,380 cars in the first quarter of 2021, up 62 percent from the same time last year and the highest sales in its history. While other companies are struggling to survive, Rolls-Royce is thriving.
So what makes a Rolls-Royce so special that it’s immune to global events?
The Customization
When you’re wealthy enough to buy a Rolls-Royce, you insist on a one-of-a-kind vehicle built just for you. Rolls-Royce prefers not to talk about a base price at all—there are so many variations and options that it’s meaningless anyway.
Consider the paint color alone. The company has a palette of more than 44,000 colors, so you can match your Rolls to your dog’s fur if you want, or you can mix in crushed diamonds. Your wish is theirs to fulfill.
Your car will receive between 7 and 23 layers of paint and coatings. The company’s one specialist, who travels with his squirrel-hair brush, will perform any pinstriping by hand.
Anything is possible, especially for the interiors. You can spell out your name in little LED lights on the ceiling or trim the interiors with wood from your estate. Equip the trunk with all you need for your favorite hobby, even if it’s falconry.
The History
From the moment it produced its first car in 1904, Rolls-Royce prioritized performance from the start. After it motored through a 15,000-mile reliability trial in 1907, Autocar magazine named Rolls-Royce “the best car in the world” by Autocar magazine.
In 1950, Rolls-Royce was declared the preferred automaker for the English royal family. To cement the relationship, the company delivered to Queen Elizabeth a Phantom IV—one of just 18 they produced.
Of course, there are different ways to define “royalty.” Just a sampling of famous Rolls-Royce owners over the years:
- T.E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”)
- King Edward VIII
- Winston Churchill
- John Lennon
- Vidal Sassoon
- Marvin Gaye
- David Beckham
- Jay Leno
- Jay-Z
- Tom Brady
- Sean Combs
- Various Kardashians
The Experience
What else makes a Rolls-Royce so special? Beyond any superficial measures, riding in a Rolls-Royce is the closest thing to commuting by magic carpet.
The ride is smooth and silent. These vehicles contain about 300 pounds of acoustic insulation around the cabin, and their foam-filled tires reduce road noise by nine decibels.
And—obviously—these world-class vehicles are designed to be driven by chauffeurs. If you want to do it right, Rolls-Royce’s White Glove training program will ensure that your driver knows how to open and close the door without leaving fingerprints.