Rolls-Royce to drive luxury market

May 21, 2012 | 12:29

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Rolls-Royce is looking for dealers to drive the distribution of its luxurious Phantom and Ghost models in Vietnam.

Herfried Hasenoehrl, the general manager of Rolls-Royce in emerging markets of Asia, visited Vietnam last week to find local dealers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and said the growth of luxurious car sales, in line with the rapid improvement of Vietnam’s roads, was impressive.

These factors and the economic growth showed this was an appropriate time for Rolls-Royce to access Vietnam, said Hasenoehrl. The car-maker received three applications from dealers who wished to sell its vehicles, two being Vietnamese and the other being a joint venture.

There were now 80-100 Rolls-Royce cars in Vietnam, Hasenoehrl estimated, all imported and distributed by local auto showrooms. Despite the current slump in Vietnam’s automotive market, Hasenoehrl said that Rolls-Royce was not concerned as its customers were not affected by the economic recession.

Rolls-Royce is positioned at the pinnacle of the ultra luxury segment of the global automotive market. The carmaker last year sold 3,538 cars, up 31 per cent from the previous year’s 2,711. This is also the highest number of cars sold in its 107-year history.

The company’s previous best was 3,347 cars which it sold in 1978. In March, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presented both the Ghost and Phantom family of cars for the first time in Thailand.