While the Rolls-Royce brand continues to produce luxury automobiles today, the manufacturing of motor cars under the Rolls-Royce brand by the original corporate entities, Rolls-Royce Limited and Rolls-Royce Motors, concluded in 2003.
The Evolution of Rolls-Royce Car Manufacturing
The history of Rolls-Royce car manufacturing is marked by a series of corporate changes, which can make the question of "when they stopped" somewhat nuanced. It's crucial to distinguish between the original companies that bore the name and the enduring brand itself.
The Original Era: Rolls-Royce Limited and Rolls-Royce Motors
From its inception, Rolls-Royce has been synonymous with automotive excellence. For a significant period, the production of these iconic vehicles was handled by specific British companies:
- 1906 – Rolls-Royce Limited: The original company was founded by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. For decades, it produced not only luxury cars but also aircraft engines, a division that became increasingly prominent.
- 1973 – Rolls-Royce Motors: Due to financial difficulties in its aerospace division, Rolls-Royce Limited was nationalized in 1971. The car manufacturing arm was then spun off as a separate entity, Rolls-Royce Motors, in 1973. This company continued to produce Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars.
- Late 1990s – Corporate Divestiture: A complex series of events in the late 1990s led to the separation of the Rolls-Royce and Bentley brands. Volkswagen Group acquired Rolls-Royce Motors (and thus the Bentley brand and car manufacturing facilities) in 1998, but the rights to the Rolls-Royce brand name and logo for use on cars were acquired by BMW.
- 2003 – End of the Era: This year marked the official transition. Volkswagen ceased using the Rolls-Royce name, focusing solely on Bentley. At the same time, BMW established a new subsidiary, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, and began manufacturing new Rolls-Royce vehicles. This effectively means that the lineage of car production by Rolls-Royce Limited and Rolls-Royce Motors under that brand ended in 2003.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: The Modern Era
Since 2003, the revered Rolls-Royce marque has continued its legacy under the stewardship of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German BMW Group.
- Continued Production: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars designs, engineers, and manufactures its ultra-luxury automobiles from a state-of-the-art facility in Goodwood, West Sussex, England.
- Iconic Modern Models: The brand's commitment to unparalleled luxury, craftsmanship, and innovation persists with current models such as the Phantom, Ghost, Cullinan, and the all-electric Spectre.
A Timeline of Rolls-Royce Corporate Changes
To summarize the transitions in Rolls-Royce car manufacturing, here is a simplified timeline of the key entities involved:
| Period | Manufacturing Entity | Key Developments and Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1906 – 1973 | Rolls-Royce Limited | Original company, produced cars, aero engines, and other products. |
| 1973 – 2003 | Rolls-Royce Motors | Dedicated car manufacturer, spun off from the aerospace group. |
| 2003 – Present | Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (BMW Group) | Current manufacturer of Rolls-Royce automobiles globally. |
In essence, while the original British corporate entities that manufactured Rolls-Royce cars underwent significant changes and ultimately ceased their involvement in car production by 2003, the Rolls-Royce brand itself never stopped making cars and continues to thrive under new ownership.
