With production of its "Baby Rolls" codenamed the RR4 to begin late 2009, CEO Tom Purves stated today the automaker will add 200 new jobs at its state-of-the-art Goodwood factory in East Sussex, England. The expansion is in stark contrast to the industry as a whole that has made a seemingly endless amount of workforce cuts as a result of slumping sales.

With the added number of workers and the smaller, more driver oriented RR4 sedan on the horizon, Rolls-Royce hopes to crack 2,000 units produced annually. Earlier this year, the automaker added 200 employees at the plant to accommodate an increase in global demand. Since its BMW takeover in 2000, the company has invested over $200 million in the English factory. Last year proved to be a record year of sales with 1010 vehicles sold around the world, most of which landed in the garages of well-heeled American buyers.


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M

Good news ....but I will watch with interest. I fear we are yet to feel the full force of this global economic problem.

Yeah I was just thinking that. Something tells me the party might be quieting down a bit in 2009, even for the super rich.

M

Bentley wants to cut jobs/hours

Right, the global economy might not be in it's best shape but for some reason this type of vehicles always seems to find it's buyers..regardless of the state of the market.

That certainly is true dr Dunkel ..... I am in no way suggesting that Rolls-Royce's market will dry up.

How many of these RR4s have they planned on manufacturing per annum?

There was a plan to double sales when RR4 arrives. Now they sell approx. 1,000 cars a year. So RR4 will add another 1,000 or so. Another 1,000 will come in the nex years from other Ghost models (RR5, RR6 etc - coupe & cabrio etc). The factory capacity is at about 3,000 cars per year.

Yet all depends on global economic situation in the next years.

You think? I don't think the super rich care much about a reccesion. They have everything they need for three lifetimes and 40 depressions

No doubt there are enough people who can afford these cars but it's more about the message you send if you buy one when most people are struggling because of the financial situation. You'd surprised how concerned some of the most wealthy people are about their image.

Of course I'm only talking about the Western world. In China for example if you have money you're ought to show it (as you very well know).