“Peak of success”

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32524, 6 February 1971, Page 1

“Peak of success”

The Rolls-Royce crash has come at a time when its car division is enjoying the peak of success. The “Daily Telegraph” says that Silver Shadows and Bentley Series T are the most successful models the company has produced in 65 years.

Last year, more than 2000 cars were made at the RollsRoyce car plant in Crewe, Cheshire, which employs 6000 workers. This is the highest annual production figure since the introduction of the Silver Shadow and Series T in 1965. Half the production was

sold overseas, earning Britain £7m in foreign currency, the newspaper said. The waiting list on the home market is a year to 18 months, even though prices, with tax, have risen £2OOO in 13 months. “WE SHALL CONTINUE” A Rolls-Royce spokesman said: “We shall continue to produce cars until the Official Receiver says otherwise.” The “Daily Telegraph” says that the assets of Rolls-Royce which the Government does not wish to take over will be available to private enterprise under the receiver’s arrangements. “These are likely to include the motor-car division, which is understood to be capable of making substantial profits on its own,” the newspaper said. Reuter reports that the Rolls-Royce car division turns out an average of 2000 cars a year—exclusively for the rich—the Silver Shadow and Phantoms selling for between £lO,OOO and £12,000. and being still "profitable articles ” The cars feature built-in cocktail cabinets, television sets and air-conditioning units.