Monday, Oct 31, 2016

Dubai

Torsten Muller-Otvos isn’t yet done with hoping. The Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars believes the last few weeks of the year could still spring a few surprises in pushing up the overall numbers for the brand in the UAE.

“Let’s see how the performance will be for the Middle East at the end of the year... Until now the year’s not over,” said Muller-Otvos, who was in Dubai last week for the opening of the first Rolls-Royce Boutique. “Clearly, the circumstances in the Middle East are more challenging — stock market developments, oil prices, the political unrest.

“But it’s not been bad [for Rolls sales]. It’s not that we are losing big business because of the situation. We have had some remarkable years in the past — whether 2016 numbers are on the same levels from these years, let’s wait for a few more weeks to find out.”

These expectations are based on the way UAE — and Saudi Arabia — have stood and delivered for the super-luxury automotive brand in recent years. Last year alone, UAE buyers made sure that this market placed second after the US in new Rolls sales. Not just that, the Abu Dhabi dealership held the mantle of being best-selling dealership worldwide, while the one in Saudi Arabia came second and the Dubai and Qatar partners were placed fourth and fifth in the pecking order. Only the Beverly Hills dealer managed to break the Gulf’s stranglehold by coming in third.

The carmaker sold 3,785 units worldwide last year, falling below the 4,000 plus it did in 2014. The decline was brought about by a tougher sales environment in China.

So far this year, it seems to be that the other markets are doing the heavy hitting for Rolls’ sales. “A number of our markets are flying high… the US will see higher numbers than last year,” said Muller-Otvos. “Japan, [South] Korea have seen excellent numbers. China has come back after a bit of difficult times. All in all, I must say I’m confident of a smooth year... a strong year.”

That confidence stems in large measure from the response the Dawn — its drop-dead gorgeous convertible — has had since its introduction at the start of the year. That and the power- and performance-packed Wraith have had a lot to do with the gains this year.

But some Rolls-Royce aficionados still haven’t gotten over its decision to change course with the Phantom, its veritable flagship. Is it a discontinuation or something less radical? Muller-Otvos sets the record straight: “First off, it’s not a discontinuation. Phantom 8 will come into the market at the end of next year, with first customer cars in 2018. We definitely see the Phantom as our pinnacle product, Rest assured, the next generation will be just as fascinating and, truly deserve the status of being the best car on Earth.

“Our decision to discontinue was limited to the Phantom Drophead Coupe and Coupe, for the simple reason that we have very successfully introduced the Wraith and Dawn. Both cars have delivered promising results. We have seen a strong order book on the Dawn this year, particularly in markets such as the US and also in Europe.

“Rolls-Royce remains a small company and I have to look to invest money in the right channels. Stopping the Drophead Coupe and Coupe frees up money to invest in our “Cullinan” project.”

The “Cullinan” will take the manufacturer into realms it has never bothered with in the past — the super-premium SUV. The first full-scale production is scheduled for 2018.

The chief executive isn’t telling more apart from, “We are making good progress on the engineering. This project will come to the market and be assured it will be a beautiful, stunning Rolls-Royce.”

By Manoj Nair Associate Editor

Gulf News 2016. All rights reserved.