Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars launched the new Phantom in January 2003, representing the culmination of four years of concentrated effort. For not only was the Phantom all-new, but so too were the headquarters and, indeed, the company that developed them both. The story of the brand goes back 100 years and its name has been inextricably linked with that of Bentley Motors since the 1930s. But the greatest change in its long and illustrious history took place towards the end of the last millennium. The company had been owned by British defence group Vickers plc since 1980, and was sold to the highest bidder – Volkswagen – in 1998. The German car maker took control of Bentley and the factory in Crewe, Cheshire but the rights to the famous Rolls-Royce name and iconic Spirit of Ecstasy symbol were retained by aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce plc. These rights were then granted to BMW: it was a fitting move as the two companies have long collaborated on aero engine projects. While a new production facility and, of course, the entirely new Phantom were developed by the newly formed Project Rolls-Royce (later Rolls-Royce Motor Cars), it was agreed that Volkswagen would continue to build cars wearing the Spirit of Ecstasy at Crewe until the end of 2002. The next four years would be busy… The site chosen for the new company’s headquarters – Goodwood in West Sussex England – not only has all the qualities needed for an important new production facility, but also historic connections: one of the founding fathers of the company, Sir Henry Royce, lived nearby for much of his life. Royce’s influence played an important part in the development of the Phantom, too. Sir Henry once famously said: “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.”