Rolls-Royce enjoys record sales

Upmarket UK-based carmaker Rolls-Royce, owned by BMW, said it sold a record number of cars in 2011 benefiting from a surge in demand for luxury and bespoke cars from customers in emerging markets. The 107-year-old company said it sold 3,538 cars in 2011, up 31 percent on the year before, as sales of its Phantom and Ghost models both rose, beating the previous record from 1978, a year boosted by sales of its classic Silver Shadow II model.
Rolls-Royce said strong sales growth was reported across the globe, with sales in the Asia Pacific region up 47 percent, North American sales rising 17 percent and Middle East sales up 23 percent. It also performed well in Britain, despite tough economic conditions, with sales up 30 percent.