Rolls-Royce sales up 22 per cent

Rolls-Royce motor cars has announced extra shifts and extended working hours have been introduced at its Goodwood production plan, in order to help it meet unprecedented customer demand.

The new regime will continue through until at least the beginning of 2008.

Demand is reflected in the quarterly sales figures which were released earlier this week.

At the end of September 2007 Rolls-Royce had retailed 22 per cent more vehicles than at the same point of 2006, with demand up for all models in the range.

At present there are three models on offer from the company; Phantom, Phantom extended wheelbase and Phantom Drophead Coupé.

"These are exciting times for Rolls-Royce," commented Ian Robertson, Chairman of Rolls-Royce.

"With the success of Phantom, the recent addition of the convertible and last week's announcement of a new coupé in the family, our challenge is to cope with exceptional customer demand.

"Now we look forward to significant changes for the whole organisation as we prepare for the launch of our future model series.

"The changes that will soon take place mark a significant investment in Goodwood, in the future of Rolls-Royce motor cars and in the future of manufacturing in the UK."

Major infrastructure changes and an increase of several hundred in the number of employees are both expected at the Goodwood plant to accommodate the expanding product range by the end of the decade.