BMW is the global leader among the three brands as BMW AG had total sales of 1,224,280 units last year and BMW Group, which includes the MINI and Rolls-Royce brands, sold a total of 1.46 million units. It is a 14.6% increase for the BMW AG and a 13.6% for BMW Group when compared with 2009.

With total sales of 1.17 million unit sales in 2010, the Mercedes-Benz finished second in the list. It marked a growth of 15.3% than 2009.

Audi managed to reach third as they experienced a 15% growth when compared with the last year. Audi, the VW Group premium brand, sold 1.09 million units in 2010.

The auto markets in China have grown in a rapid rate and after the global turn down, the US markets are also catching up. The companies were benefited from the potential of these auto markets around the world.

BMW and MINI claimed that they were able to sell 168,000 units in China in 2010 and that is an unbelievable rise of 86.7% than the rates of 2009.

(Via Bloomberg)

The cars coming out in Rhapsody Black, Maiden Blue, Ethereal White Pearl, and Wildflower shades will feature a silver hood ornament of the Spirit of Ecstasy along with unique black chrome badges.

Interior has been installed a hand-made instrument cluster, a Britannia Silver analog clock, and a plaque. The glove box lid is inscribed with the quote: “A graceful little goddess, the Spirit of Ecstasy, who has selected road travel as her supreme delight and alighted on the prow of a Rolls-Royce motor car to revel in the freshness of the air and the musical sound of her fluttering draperies.” – Charles Sykes, 1911.

The company is marking all 2011 models with the words “Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary – 2011. The Spirit of Ecstasy, otherwise known as The Flying Lady, has appeared at the forefront of Rolls-Royce motor cars since 1911.

Sources at the company say that Ghost is a more approachable Rolls-Royce, which is attracting a new kind of customer to the Rolls-Royce brand. At the show in Paris, the company hopes to demonstrate how the Rolls-Royce continues to operate in a strong position, thanks to the Phantom’s appeal.
All of the five Bespoke models have several unique features such as seat piping, mother of pearl centers to white instrument dials, and Rolls-Royce monogram embroidery in all head restraints. They will also be branded with personalized tread plates inscribed with ‘Mondial de l’Automobile Paris 2010.’

Mansory Rolls Royce Ghost has Blue covering almost the entire bodywork while gold is found at places like the grille, front wheel houses and even the door handles. The Mansory Ghost is a better performer than the customary one thanks to the addition of a new rear spoiler, a rear skirt, a rear diffuser and the double sport exhaust system. The unusually tinged Ghost churns a stunning 710 ponies at 5,850 rpm with up to 1,020 Nm of torque courtesy of-ECU calibration, twin turbos, a sports manifold and sports catalysers.

Rich enough to own one of those amazing Rolls-Royce Ghost? Well, listen up, as the German tuners from Deutsche Manufaktur have put their “Numero Uno” version of the car, on sale on JamesList.com for €450,000. Meant for “customers who want something a little more exclusive from an automobile that spells passion even in its original state”, their Rolls-Royce Ghost ‘Numero Uno’ look a bit unusual (appealing unusual that is) thanks to its new front and rear spoilers, a new grille and the new headlight shades. More to it, the little beast comes with adjustable-tint glass (darkened windows at the push of a button), 20-inch forged and polished wheels and a few other interior changes. Not bad for the filthy rich, eh?

When it’s a Royce, luxury is the biggest factor and so it is here with evidences like the abundance of leather on the inside assisted with chrome detailing. Again, the trademark violin key switches are also here along with frosted instrument dials and abundant wood trimming. The air-conditioning inside this luxury on four wheels hits you from four different sides. On popping the hood you will find a 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 beast capable of churning 563bhp and 780Nm of torque. The amazing power is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The deadly combination helps the car dash from 0 to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds while topping it out at 250 Km/h which is electronically limited.

I don’t particularly like the rear, but overall it looks like an impressive ride. One that we would like to take for a test drive! Eh?

The Ghost is inspired by Phantom when it comes to styling (of course in a smaller package) and it measures 5399mm in length, 3295mm in wheelbase, 1948mm in width, and 1550mm in height. The UK customers will get this treat at the end of this year for an expected £165,000. The North American Customers will get it in the second quarter of 2010 for US$245,000, while the rest of the world will pay US$250,000.

[via WCF]

By now I’m pretty certain the the exquisite Brits from Rolls are definitely not seeing the bad economic environment. But that’s good news for our eyes, isn’t it? After seeing the Phantom’s phacelift, rumors have it that Rolls-Royce is preparing to debut in March in Geneva their RR4 – for the moment, known as 200EX. Using the BMW 7-Series platform and a V12 engine that sports 500hp, the new 200EX issmaller and narrower than the Phantom. However, the luxurious ride is expected to offer the same level of comfort and space that we’ve been used with. State of the art robustness, don’t you think? [via WCF]

And here are some images with a spied RR4 …

If you’ve been long craving for a Rolls Royce Phantom, the luxurious brand is preparing a facelift. But since that term is not exquisite enough, they’re calling it a product update. No matter what title it has, the mysterious ride features a new front bumper, a shallower stainless steel grille, some luxurious LED door handle lighting, redesigned wood veneer door panels and 12-inch screens to entertain those in the back. It’s a powerful lordly vehicle that runs on 21-inch wheels cast in aluminum, so expect it to hit the road in a couple of months. via autoblog]

Under the hood, the “piece of resistance” is the BMW built 6.75L V12 engine that produces 453 bhp and 720 Nm of torque. It’s supposed to have a 25 percent increase in fuel capacity compared to the Drophead Coupé so you can expect to drive longer.

Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe has an aluminum chassis, uses lightweight materials, comes up with a strong single piece roof unit and has a very large interior furnished up to the extreme. It’s going to cost $400,000 and production will start this summer (2008).

via Jalopink