While the world (or Europe at least) may be on the verge of another financial meltdown but somebody obviously has forgotten to tell the super-rich, as the latest sales figures from Rolls-Royce prove.
The Goodwood-based manufacturer delivered 3,538 cars in 2011 making it the best year in Rolls-Royce's 107-year history for sales.
The recently introduced Ghost range accounted for the lion's share of sales, but the Phantom family - comprising the regular Phantom, the Extended Wheelbase model and both the standard Coupé and the Drophead Coupé - pitched in with their fair share of buyers.
China and the United States were the most significant markets for Rolls-Royce, though Continental Europe and the Middle East are catching up with growth of 30 and 23 per cent respectively.
"We had an outstanding year in 2011 and we should take a moment to reflect on this Great British success story," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "Our business is in excellent shape. We are developing our dealer network, moving into new markets like South America, expanding our manufacturing operation in West Sussex to meet global demand and have plans to develop our product range."
The announcement comes soon after similar news from Bentley, who reported a 37 per cent increase in sales in 2011.
Paul Healy - 11 Jan 2012