Rolls-Royce CEO: Bentley is not a competitor, no plans to do model cheaper than Ghost
It’s a bit relieving when you here CEO’s of supercar makers tell us that their company’s will weather the economic downturn and come out strong. Even though it may not pertain to the masses, it just makes us feel like that things aren’t all that bad as they seem.
Following Porsche’s CEO’s statement this morning that he sees no downturn in the automotive industry, Rolls-Royce’s new CEO, Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, said that he expects the ultrapremium segment is likely to weather this downturn better than it did the previous crisis.
In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Torsten gave out some interesting info as to what is in the works with Rolls-Royce in the near future.
Hit the jump for some highlights:
- Bentley is no Rolls-Royce competitor: “They (Bentley buyers) buy models of both brands. Their garages are like clothes closets, equipped for all of life’s occasions. Rolls-Royce competes with other luxury goods such as real estate, yachts, fine art and jewelry.”
- Portfolio Expansion: “I think Ghost is a model that lends itself to further derivatives in time. We have many ideas but are in no hurry. It might be a coupe; it might be a convertible or something else entirely.”
- Profitable?: Last year, we sold 2,711 vehicles. We expect 2011 to be another record year… we are a profitable company.”
- No diesels?: “…diesel could never deliver a true Rolls-Royce experience: effortless performance and, of course, silence.”
- Fear the death of the V12?: “I don’t think so. Our engines are highly efficient and our 102EX electric Phantom project is the first step in exploring the potential for alternative powertrains in the long-term.”
– By: Omar Rana
Source: Automotive News
