The Rolls-Royce success story continues with the news that the company is expanding its Bespoke operation thanks to growing customer demand for unique Rolls-Royce motor cars.
Based at the Goodwood factory the Bespoke operation will be recruiting new staff including designers, engineers and project management staff, doubling the headcount by the end of 2011 to over 50.
“The ability to bespoke one’s vehicle has always been at the heart of Rolls-Royce so it is very encouraging to see that after more than one hundred years at the very pinnacle of the automotive world, our Bespoke services are still very much in demand from customers all over the world today”, explained Sales and Marketing Director, Jolyon Nash.
Bespoke operations are not limited to the design and development of automotive parts, as customers can customise their car’s accessories too, adding complimentary items such as picnic sets that are matched to their car, bespoke luggage or even the ‘starlight headliner’, where hundreds of illuminated optical fibres are woven into the roof lining of the chosen Phantom model.
One customer has even commissioned his own colour, which is reserved exclusively for his use. Michael Fux, an American businessman and philanthropist had a unique Candy Apple paint named after him. He also had the wood veneer on his Rolls-Royce replaced with matching red carbon-fibre.
Potential customers can download the Rolls-Royce Phantom app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch from iTunes, which will let them configure their own bespoke options on the Phantom, Phantom Coupé and Phantom Drophead Coupé and follows the launch of the Rolls-Royce Ghost App in March last year. As well as allowing them to apply unique interior and exterior colour options the app features a showcase of bespoke features such as seat piping, veneer inserts, humidor and picnic sets.
If the 44,000 standard colours aren’t enough customers can use the built-in camera to take a photograph of their favourite shade and then apply it directly to the outside of their Phantom.