Luxury brand’s sales surge

Rolls-Royce reported record sales in the first half of the year with Chinese buyers pushing up the marque’s sales. Sales worldwide in the first six months increased by 33 per cent compared with January to June in 2013. Strong growth was reported in the Asia-Pacific region – up nearly 40 per cent – while in the Middle East demand surged by 30 per cent. In Europe, demand rose by more than 60 per cent with sales doubling in Germany. The US also recorded double-digit growth. “This is an excellent half-year result and demonstrates the continued confidence our customers have in our company and our fine cars,” says Torsten Müller-Otvös, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ chief executive. “We are on target for another record year in 2014.” Meanwhile, the BMW Group has also reported strong sales for BMWs and Minis. Combined global sales were up 18 per cent in Asia, five per cent in the US and two per cent in Europe. This helped the group to sell a record-breaking one million-plus units in the first half of 2014.