Ultra-luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce plans to sell about 10-12 units of the nearly Rs 4 crore (Rs 40 million) 'Phantom' in the Indian market this year and is also planning to launch a new convertible model codenamed 'RR02' in 2007.
"I think India is growing. Ultra high-net worth people in India are growing and this makes us bullish on the market," said Colin Kelly, Regional Director (Asia Pacific), Rolls Royce Motors, after launching the Phantom in New Delhi.
The company, which returned to the Indian market after almost 50 years in April this year, is among the super-premium carmakers who recognise the growing purchasing power of the Indians and hopes to have a pie of the niche market.
The Rolls Royce Phantom: A Slide Show
Powered by a 6.75-litre V12 engine, the Phantom accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds.
Since its re-launch, the company has delivered one car and has confirmed orders for five more. "We are looking to sell about 10-12 Phantoms in India this year, and this would be comfortable," Kelly said, pointing out Rolls Royce sold roughly about 800 cars globally per annum.
In fact, global sales for the carmaker in 2004 were the highest in the last ten years at 792 units. Asia-Pacific region contributed 15-20 per cent of these sales with Japan being the largest market, followed by China and Australia.
He said the company plans to launch the new convertible model simultaneously in India along with the global launch in 2007.
"This speaks about the importance we attach to this market," Kelly said.
The last one-two years have seen the entry of many super-luxury brands in India, including the Maybach, Bentley Arnage R and those from Porsche. -- PTI
(Above) Regional director of Asia-Pacific Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Colin Kelly (L) poses with the newly launched Rolls-Royce Phantom as an Indian franchisee joins him in New Delhi. Photograph: Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images
