Rolls-Royce to Expand U.K. Plant Capacity

Rolls-Royce plans a £10-million ($15.8 million) expansion of its U.K. plant in Goodwood, West Sussex, amid significant growth in worldwide sales in the past 18 months and greater demand for highly personalized Ghost and Phantom models.

The assembly area of Rolls-Royce’s only factory will be increased by more than 26,900 sq.-ft. (2,500 sq.-m), while the surface finish center will be expanded by 6,888 sq.-ft. (640 sq.-m). Construction begins later this year and will be completed in late 2012.

Rolls-Royce enlarging sole site of Ghost production.

The British car company is responding to record 2010 sales and growing demand across all markets.

The auto maker recently launched new dealerships in North America, Asia/Pacific and Europe and more are to open later this year.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos says the new factory space and other infrastructure changes will accommodate expanded manufacturing and bespoke operations.

“We continue to see increased demand from customers all over the world, and the new facilities will allow us to increase the capacity for our hand-built, highly personalized motor cars,” Muller-Otvos says in a statement.

Growing demand for personalized models has prompted Rolls-Royce to double its roster of bespoke experts.