‘A CAR that is unique as those who own them,” these summed up the words of Michael Schneider, Rolls-Royce general manager for sales in the Asia Pacific, during the launch of the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II. The unveiling of Rolls-Royce’s newest offering in the country also coincided with the opening of perhaps the most luxurious 323-square-meter showroom at the Fort Global City that now houses three of the most expensive cars on the planet today—the Ghost Series II, the two-door Wraith and the venerable Phantom.
The showroom conforms to the highest standards set by the Rolls-Royce of England and features a waiting lounge that reflects the taste of the owners of these vehicles. The Bespoke lounge features a wide array of the finest veneer, leather and paint samples would-be owners could choose from. The showroom also connects buyers directly to the designers and craftspeople at the home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, England.
During my interview after his presentation, Willy Tee Ten, president of British Bespoke Automobiles Inc., the official distributor of Rolls-Royce in the country, said, “The robust economy is the reason why I decided to bring in Rolls-Royce.” He said the growing economy has given people higher disposable income, and he hopes that this new class of people with this newfound purchasing power will consider purchasing a Rolls-Royce.
The statement also echoed an earlier one made by Paul Harris, Asia-Pacific regional director, who said that the opening of the Manila showroom follows an order history which goes back as early 2005. He said the burgeoning economy has been shaped by a group of highly successful entrepreneurs who now want to reward themselves with nothing less than the pinnacle car.
“The new facility, which runs British Bespoke Automobiles Inc., is the best place to indulge in authentic contemporary luxury, and with the help of the highly skilled team of Rolls-Royce cars, Manila buyers are assured of having a Rolls perfectly tailored according to their whims,” Harris said.
The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II is a fine example of what Rolls-Royce is about—seeing it in metal and having the opportunity to actually sit inside it gives one a glimpse of the lifestyle of those who can afford such fine vehicles.
The Ghost Series II improves on what the first series has to offer inside. One is at a loss for words to describe such a car. Adjectives like luxurious and elegant seem to fall short. And as I ponder for the right adjective to give justice to the vehicle, the word “opulence” comes to mind. Opulence, as explained by Mr. Webster, stands for “wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living.”
Truly, Rolls-Royce caters to the opulent who have made their mark—those who only want the finest things that life can offer. Sir Henry Royce, the founder of the company that now bears his name, once said, “Strive for perfection in everything you do.” This was his vision to build perfect cars that cater to successful individuals. Maybe this is the same reason Rolls-Royce uses Ghost, Wraith and Phantom for their models, because seeing any of these cars is akin to seeing a ghost. Albeit an experience that one will never forget for a long time.
Image credits: Patrick Tulfo