Rolls-Royce announces highest annual sales in its 111-year history

The luxury car company sold 4,063 vehicles in 2014

Chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Torsten Muller Otvos sits in a Rolls-Royce car in the company's Berkley Square showroom in Mayfair, London (PA)

Rolls-Royce has achieved the highest annual sales in its 111-year-history, the luxury car company announced today.

The Sussex-based firm sold a record 4,063 vehicles in 2014, marking a 12 per cent increase on its 2013 total – and the triumph marks the fifth consecutive year that sales have increased.

In fact, they have risen five-fold since 2009, last year increasing by 13 per cent in the UK, 40 per cent in Europe as a whole, 30 per cent in the USA and 20 per cent in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Australian sales were up 75 per cent in 2014, with Japan rising 60 per cent.

The best-selling Rolls' dealership was in Abu Dhabi, while six new dealerships were opened in 2014, including Mexico City, Calgary, Canada and Gold Coast, Australia. A total of 127 are now in operation with further expansion planned for 2015.

In September the company announced plans for its new Technology and Logistics Centre at Bognor Regis, close to Goodwood. Construction of the new 30,000m2 facility, which is due to open in 2016, is well underway.

Overall, the USA is the company's biggest market, followed by mainland China, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and Saudi Arabia.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Rolls-Royce motor cars are famous throughout the world with increasing numbers now exported abroad. The skill and dedication of its workers here in Britain has led to another very successful year.

"The UK's automotive industry is thriving with a new car rolling off the production line every 20 seconds, and increasing levels of investment that's helping to secure local jobs.

"Through our industrial strategy we are backing companies like Rolls-Royce as they go from strength to strength, giving them the right environment to invest with confidence and create high-skilled jobs."

Sales were boosted by strong orders for the Ghost Series II, which was launched in November, and the Wraith, which enjoyed its first full year of sales. However, the Phantom remains the company's pinnacle product.

2014 also marked the first year in which every Phantom, and the great majority of Ghost and Wraith models, left the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood with significant bespoke personalisation.

To meet such strong demand, particularly for bespoke cars, the company has created over 200 new permanent jobs in the past 18 months, with more than 1,500 now working at its headquarters at Goodwood in West Sussex.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos said: "This fifth consecutive record year saw Rolls-Royce Motor Cars break through the 4,000 car sales level for the first time in its history.

"The result confirms that our strategy of balanced, sustainable and profitable growth is delivering and that Rolls-Royce remains the world's leading luxury goods brand. This extraordinary success has been built on strong foundations: pinnacle products, dedicated people and a commitment to ensuring a balanced global sales picture."

Additional reporting by Press Association