Rolls-Royce sees record 33% boost in luxury car sales

Germany's BMW, which owns Rolls-Royce, saw vehicles sales across the group rise almost 7% in the period.

Engineering firm Rolls-Royce has seen a record 33% rise in luxury car sales in the half year to June compared with last year.

Sales shifted up a gear to a total of 1,968 luxury cars worldwide, the company said.

Rolls-Royce cars can retail at around £350,000 for top-of-the-range a Phantom model.

Germany's BMW, which owns Rolls-Royce, saw vehicles sales across the group rise almost 7% in the period.

"This is an excellent half-year result and demonstrates the continued confidence that our customers have in our company and our fine cars," said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars chief executive Torsten Müller-Ötvös.

Sales were up in Europe by more than 60%, and up in Asia Pacific by almost 40%, the company said.

Rolls-Royce saw strong demand for its Wraith models, and said it had "significant orders" for its Ghost Series II, which is due out in autumn this year.

Rolls-Royce sales helped to push BMW to record in the first half of the year.

BMW group vehicle sales rose 6.9% on the same period last year, to a total of 1,020,211 vehicles.

However, not all of the group was on an upward trajectory. Mini sales fell 11.4% to 131,896.