2005 Rolls-royce Phantom 4dr Sedan on 2040-cars

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BMW sold 2.49 million BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles in 2018

FRANKFURT — German carmaker BMW on Tuesday said it achieved record sales of 2.49 million BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles last year. "BMW Group achieved record sales in 2018. 2.49 million vehicles mean the BMW Group is the world's leading premium automotive company for the 15th year running," Chief Executive Harald Krueger said. In 2017, BMW Group sold 2.46 million vehicles. Daimler has not yet released annual sales figures for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, so it remains unclear whether BMW brand overtook Mercedes-Benz in terms of sales in 2018. Sales of BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce cars were higher than Mercedes-Benz in 2017.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Oribe has a pottery theme and high-fashion interior

Rolls-Royce has developed quite a busy business with its Bespoke division. It creates specially customized one-off models for particularly wealthy clients. The latest is the Rolls-Royce Phantom Oribe, and it's one of the prettier and more interesting ones. The car was commissioned by a Japanese entrepreneur who collects old pottery from Japan called Oribe. That pottery often features green and white glazing, which provided the inspiration for the name and the color scheme of the Phantom. This particular Phantom was also a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and the French designer fashion brand Hermes, which provided all of the interior leather and canvas. That interior is really the highlight of the car. Most surfaces feature green and white leather to match the exterior. But the headliner and rear armrests receive a canvas fabric Hermes uses on some of its handbags. Walnut wood veneers decorate the doors, rear seat tables and dashboard. A unique touch is the lack of metal speaker grates. Instead, Rolls-Royce drilled out holes in the wood trim over the speakers. Additionally, the dashboard features an equine themed pattern that was hand painted. It was inspired by a particular style of scarves offered by Hermes. Both the car and fashion companies' logos appear on the glovebox door. This car is of course a one-off, so you won't see any more of them. Of course if you have the undoubtedly massive amounts of money to commission a Bespoke Rolls-Royce, you could probably request certain aspects of it on your own special car. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Bespoke Rolls-Royce auction is a chance to support the fight against AIDS

Rolls-Royce is showing off a new bespoke Phantom at Art Basel in Miami Beach, Florida, and its special red exterior highlights its bigger purpose: charity. In collaboration with artist Mickalene Thomas, Rolls-Royce will auction the car, a unique wrap, and a one-off art work as a fundraiser for the fight against AIDS. The red Phantom has a bespoke Magma Red paint job overlaid with a layer with tiny particles of crystal. Inside, the Phantom has Brilliant Arctic White bespoke leather with Mugello Red piping and accents. A Mugello Red headliner is a unique take on the Shooting Starlight headliner, which debuted in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge, and R-R has dubbed the dashboard design, 'Red Regatta Sails.' It features layered Mugello Red leather behind a piece of glass across the instrument panel. Final touches include a door scuff plate that denotes "115 Years of Rolls-Royce" and "Special Commission."   Interestingly, the Phantom is technically a starting point. R-R paired up with contemporary artist Thomas to add an even more exclusive and unique touch. Thomas will create 'an original work of art inspired by the Red Phantom for the collector' and a custom wrap for the exterior of the Phantom based on the artwork.  The car will be globally unveiled at a gala this week and will be open for bidding between December 4–13 at Sothebys.com. All proceeds, after auction fees and costs, will go to (RED), which was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 to fund the fight against AIDS. The contributions go to a program in Africa that specifically focuses on countries where there is a high concentration of mother-to-child HIV transmission. This is not the first time a Rolls-Royce has helped support an AIDS charity. In 2007, a Phantom Drophead Coupe raised more than $1.6 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.