Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveiled its first ever ‘Rolls-Royce Boutique’, a highly progressive new concept in luxury, in Dubai, UAE.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveiled its first ever ‘Rolls-Royce Boutique’, a highly progressive new concept in luxury, in Dubai, UAE. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, presided at the official inauguration ceremony, alongside officials from AGMC, the sole and authorised representative for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates of the UAE.

The new space speaks of Rolls-Royce’s commitment to effortlessly integrating itself into the lifestyles of its patrons. The location, at the centre of Dubai’s City Walk, a globally recognised luxury and hospitality hot-spot, therefore boldly counters traditional automotive thinking in placing the house within a centre of fine fashion, art and cuisine that Rolls-Royce customers frequent.

The permanent Boutique has been created in the same spirit as the marque’s highly successful Summer Studio in Porto Cervo, Sardinia which has rapidly established itself as a celebrated centre of ‘true luxury’ in one of the world’s most exclusive enclaves. The Boutique therefore blends spaces that bring to life the spirit of the marque’s Centre of Excellence in Goodwood, England with a vibrant, social atmosphere. The Boutique is set to become a place to see and be seen for the region’s most discerning and eminent patrons of luxury.

This is achieved through a curated series of experiential areas including: an Inspiration Studio, Bespoke Atelier, Interactive Spirit of Ecstasy, Pinnacle Café, Affinity Partner Display, Virtual Reality Configurators and staging for Bespoke one-of-one motor cars or newly-launched collections.

The product of a multi-million dollar investment from AGMC, the generously appointed facility spans 7,300 sq.ft. and features top-to-bottom vectorized pixel-animation screens on the external windows, visible to passers-by from the road and sidewalk. Befitting a house that always seeks to deliver effortlessness to its patrons, it is the only Boutique in City Walk that will have year-round valet parking for its guests.

The Rolls-Royce Boutique is AGMC’s second Rolls-Royce showroom facility in Dubai, complementing their existing 10,000 sq. ft. flagship showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road which features the world’s most advanced Rolls-Royce Aftersales Centre.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, said, “Dubai is an important part of our brand’s success story, and it has been among the top five markets in the world for Rolls-Royce for three consecutive years, placing it alongside or above other markets with much bigger populations. Our success in Dubai and the rest of the world is borne of an intimate understanding of the lifestyle requirements of the world’s most discerning patrons of luxury. True luxury houses like Rolls-Royce must therefore constantly strive to innovate and inspire.”

He added. “AGMC’s investment is testament to their commitment to delivering truly progressive experiences to Dubai’s most eminent men and women. This extraordinary space will become a social hot-spot that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Rolls-Royce’s Centre of Excellence in Goodwood, England.”

Stathis I. Stathis, Managing Director of AGMC, said, “It’s no secret that Dubai is a city of accomplishments and record-breaking initiatives. From the marvel that is the Burj Khalifa through to winning the bid for Expo 2020, Dubai has proven time and time again it is a place where the impossible becomes possible. Where vision, coupled with hard work and resolve, can lead to achievements that are rightly celebrated and respected around the globe. We are proud to now add the first ever Rolls-Royce Boutique to those achievements.”

The Rolls-Royce Boutique features four distinct areas:

The Inspiration Studio will be the staging point for one-of-a-kind examples of Rolls-Royce Bespoke motor cars. This will serve to inspire patrons by showcasing what is possible when working with the marque’s full Bespoke palette. The space also features an Interactive Spirit of Ecstasy Wall, which uses motion-capture technology to allow visitors to briefly transform themselves into the iconic statuette that embellishes every Rolls-Royce motor car, and an interactive configurator to help customers conceive initial ideas for their own Bespoke vision. 

The Bespoke Atelier takes cues from the worlds of fine art, design and high fashion, and is filled with thought-provoking textures, themes and colours, giving customers the opportunity to explore the possibilities that cutting-edge, Bespoke design allows. The displays of paints, marquetry, exotic woods, leathers, piping, tread plates and accessories such as picnic hampers and Gold-plated ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’s have been selected to stimulate discussion and nurture creativity, helping to inspire customers when commissioning their own unique Rolls-Royce motor car. The centerpiece is a stunning piece of original art from Syrian artist Khaled Al Saaei, depicting the Spirit of Ecstasy in Arabic Calligraphy.

The Pinnacle Café is a space for Rolls-Royce customers to relax, meet with friends, or even host business meetings in an exclusive and luxurious atmosphere. Rolls-Royce will invite other luxury brands to display their rarest and most unique items in the Affinity Area, with the displays regularly changing, thus providing further inspiration to visitors and also creating a luxury shopping boutique feel for customers.

The Rolls-Royce Boutique is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm seven days a week.

Rolls Royce has it's second best year ever in 2015, with new models coming on stream, this will surely grow.

• Second highest sales in the marque’s 112-year history.
• 3,785 cars delivered to customers in 2015.
• Rolls-Royce dominates super-luxury segment (+€200,000 net)
• Strong performances in all global regions, with exception of China.
• Bespoke personalisation at highest-ever levels.
• Results reaffirm Rolls-Royce as the world’s leading super-luxury goods manufacturer.
• North America top region, ahead of Middle East, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
• United States is biggest individual market.
• Rolls-Royce cars sold through network of 130 dealers across almost 50 countries.
• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Abu Dhabi best-selling dealership for third consecutive year.
• 100 new jobs created in 2015.
• Record intake for company’s Apprenticeship Programme.
• New Technology and Logistics Centre opens in Bognor Regis.
• Significant investment in manufacturing plant in readiness for new models.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is pleased to announce that its 2015 sales were the second-highest ever recorded in its 112-year history. A total of 3,785 hand-built motor cars were commissioned by customers worldwide last year.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, said, “2015 was a year of tremendous challenge for the entire luxury industry. I am very proud of our success which was achieved against a backdrop of considerable global uncertainty. 

We have proven that our long-term strategy of globally balanced, sustainable and profitable growth is delivering and we have maintained our position as the world’s leading luxury manufacturer. I am quietly confident of a strong year in 2016.”

Record sales were reported in Asia Pacific (up 13%), the Middle East (up 4%) and North America (up 6%). Individual markets that recorded record results included Korea (up 73%), Japan (up 7%), Qatar (up 21%), Russia (up 1%), UK (up 2%) and USA (up 7%). Emerging markets such as Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Kazakhstan all showed promising growth. 

In China, significant headwinds impacted negatively on the entire luxury sector and Rolls‑Royce was not immune to these developments. The region reported sales down 54% compared to 2014.

Sales were driven by the enduring success of Wraith and Ghost family motor cars, whilst Phantom remains the company’s pinnacle product globally, reaffirming its status as the world’s most desirable super-luxury good. In 2015, Rolls-Royce once again sold more cars in the +€200,000 net segment than any other manufacturer, maintaining a position it has held unchallenged over the last decade.

As part of the marque’s commitment to long-term sustainable growth, Rolls-Royce announced five new dealerships during 2015. This brings the global dealership network to 130, with further expansion planned for 2016. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Abu Dhabi was the best-selling Rolls-Royce dealership for the third consecutive year.

In the face of a highly challenging global business climate Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continued undeterred with its long-term sustainable growth strategy. In September, the unveil of the new Rolls-Royce Dawn drophead coupé stunned the market, breaking all previous records for pre-orders whilst attracting a more social, younger generation of successful people to the marque. First customer deliveries will take place in the second quarter of 2016.

In the same month, the company completed the first phase of a major investment in the future of the brand with the completion of its new Technology and Logistics Centre (TLC) at Bognor Regis. The purpose-built 30,000m² facility formally opened for business, on schedule, on 4 January 2016.

Throughout 2015, significant building and expansion work also continued at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, where the company is investing heavily in a new single-line manufacturing system that will drive the marque’s highly innovative long-term product strategy.

Record numbers of customers tasked the marque’s designers and craftspeople with creating highly Bespoke expressions of their tastes and lifestyles. Nearly every Phantom, Ghost and Wraith that left the Home of Rolls-Royce in 2015 contained specially commissioned Bespoke design elements. 

This reaffirmed the marque’s status as the only authentic purveyor of hand-crafted super-luxury motor cars. Rolls‑Royce further cemented its position as the world’s pre-eminent creator of truly individual motor cars through its Bespoke Collections – including Wraith Inspired by Film, Fashion & Music, and Phantom Nighthawk and Limelight – and unique creations such as Phantom Serenity.

Sustained demand across the globe and a commitment to investing in future British manufacturing talent led to the creation of 100 highly-skilled permanent jobs in 2015. The company now employs 1,600 people at the Home of Rolls-Royce, a remarkable increase on the 350 that worked to create the first Phantom in 2003.

British Prime Minister, David Cameron, during a visit to the Home of Rolls-Royce in February 2015 declared Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to be “a great British manufacturing success story”. 

The marque’s globally renowned Apprenticeship Programme was also praised by the Prime Minister who congratulated Rolls-Royce on its sustained commitment to developing young people. 2015 saw a record intake of Apprentices with recruitment levels set to remain at record levels in 2016, the 10^th Anniversary of the Apprenticeship Programme.

The company’s success in the face of global commercial pressures is testament to its long-term strategy based on sustainable growth. The success of this approach was also reflected in substantial growth in the Provenance (pre-owned) and Financial Services programmes during 2015. These offerings are bringing the brand to a wider audience, and extending new opportunities to aspiring Rolls-Royce owners.

Business Minister Anna Soubry said, “Today’s results from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars show that British-built luxury cars remain the envy of the world and are yet another sign of the strength of our excellent automotive industry.” She added, 

“By continuing to support and invest in our auto industry, we can make sure we continue to create high-skilled jobs and drive our exports forward. I’m especially pleased at the success of the company’s apprenticeship programme – our car manufacturers are already the most productive in Europe and this can only be sustained by prioritising the skills of the workforce.”

Historical sales:        

2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
300	792	796	805	1010	1212	1002	2711	3538	3575	3630	4063

Largest Rolls-Royce regions by sales in 2015:

1.     North America

2.     Middle East

3.     Europe

4.     Asia Pacific

5.     China

Largest markets in the world for Rolls-Royce in 2015:

1.     USA

2.     UAE

3.     China mainland

4.     UK

5.     Saudi Arabia

Infiniti Red Bull Racing previews the final round in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Daniel Ricciardo

Q1: You won three races last year, but perhaps your best performance came in Abu Dhabi. Fair assessment?

Ricciardo: Honestly yeah, I think it really was my best weekend of 2014. It wasn't a win but I nailed qualifying. I nailed the race. I nailed the whole thing. 

Pace, consistency, everything was awesome and it got me from the back of the grid to fourth, so yes, in terms of pure performance, it was my best race.

Q2: Yas Marina isn't an obvious Daniel Ricciardo happy place, but you like the circuit more than we'd expect.

Ricciardo: I do. I like the last sector in particular because that turns it into an exciting track. It's twisty and you get right up close with the walls. You also have to contend with your tires going off because the start of the lap is so fast. By the third sector, you're really having to manage your rubber. It's a challenge.

Q3: What does twilight racing bring to the party?

Ricciardo: I think starting in the sun and ending in the dark is pretty cool. Actually, I think the whole atmosphere of the weekend is pretty cool. 

Lots of Aussies make the trip – lots of Europeans, and there's a really good multicultural scene. Lots of boat parties in the marina. Lots of fun. I do like Abu Dhabi.

Q4: What's your plan after Abu Dhabi?

Ricciardo: I'll probably stay out for a few days and do some riding in the desert. I did that after Bahrain too and it was good fun.

Q5: Cars? Horses? Camels?

Ricciardo: Bikes! I do enjoy the UAE. I love the heat, and the whole outdoor lifestyle. It's great for dirt bikes, buggies, whatever. There's not really any rules. You can ride where you like. I'll have some fun.

Daniil Kvyat

Q1: Final round – Abu Dhabi. It's a circuit that has some particularly good memories for you isn't it?

Kvyat: I generally enjoy most tracks, and in one way or another they all have good associations. But yes, it's particularly the case at Yas Marina because I won the GP3 championship there. I had a good qualifying there last year. I was fifth on the grid, I think, but the race didn't work out so well as I had to retire with an engine problem. 

Still, it's been enjoyable. It's a good track to drive, even if it's one of the modern ones with the big run-off areas. It's very technical though, and it takes some time to get your head around it. Do that and you'll get a good lap, but it's not as easy as it looks.

Q2: What do you recall about that GP3 win in 2013, standing on the podium at Yas?

Kvyat: Two things: The first is that winning always feels great, and the second is that it's actually the last race that I won, so it's a bloody long time ago! I'd really like to change that. I miss that feeling a lot.

Q3: It is the last race of the season, and for most of the paddock that comes with a definite "schools out" feeling. Do you get that too?

Kvyat: Actually, it's a kind of a sad weekend in some ways, because it's the last race of the season, which for a driver is not great. Sure, you're mentally tired after a long season, but whenever the racing stops there's a bit of an empty feeling inside. You really miss racing. At least I do. But I'm sure I'll find some way of having some fun in the winter.

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