Rolls-Royce bought a file variety of vehicles in 2022 as demand for its $500,000 autos remained sturdy, regardless of recession fears, in accordance with CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos.

“We’ve not seen any slowdown or downturn,” Muller-Otvos instructed CNBC. “We’ve not seen any destructive influence.”

Rolls-Royce delivered 6,021 vehicles final yr, up 8% over 2021 and the primary time the corporate crossed the 6,000 mark. The British carmaker, which is owned by BMW, would not escape its income and income. However the firm mentioned the typical value of a Rolls-Royce soared to $534,000 final yr — thanks largely to its customization program often known as Bespoke.

With Bespoke commissions clients may also help design and customise their Rolls-Royce vehicles with every part from distinctive paint colours to silk-embroidered headliners, one-of-a-kind wooden supplies and customized champagne chests.

The corporate opened an invitation-only Non-public Workplace in Dubai to higher service VIP and Bespoke shoppers within the Center East, the main area for ultra-customized ‘Excessive Bespoke’ autos, and mentioned extra Non-public Workplaces will open world wide within the coming months.

Nonetheless, the U.S. was the most important market general for Rolls-Royce in 2022, accounting for practically 35% of its international gross sales, Muller-Otvos mentioned. China, its second-largest market, noticed a slight decline in gross sales however nonetheless claimed 25% of world gross sales and posted its second-strongest yr for the corporate. Muller-Otvos mentioned China’s reopening and financial restoration may assist make China its largest market sooner or later.

“I foresee that market being fairly a shocking enterprise for us,” he mentioned. “Notably within the luxurious phase, it is in development mode. I might not be stunned to see in the future China being the most important area for us worldwide.”

The corporate’s SUV, the Cullinan, was its bestseller in 2022, making up about half of world gross sales, Muller-Otvos mentioned. Its Ghost mannequin accounted for over 30% of gross sales, whereas the Phantom accounted for about 10%.

In the meantime the automaker’s largest launch of 2022 was the Spectre, Rolls-Royce’s first electrical car and the start of its plan to change into totally electrical by 2030.

Spectre, with a beginning value of $413,000, noticed greater than 300 preorders from U.S. clients earlier than it was formally unveiled final October. Muller-Otvos mentioned U.S. orders have continued to climb, although he declined to supply numbers.

“Undoubtedly way over 300,” he mentioned. “The orderbook has exceeded our expectations — even our highest expectations.”

Rolls-Royce has a giant order backlog that can assist cushion the corporate towards any potential recession, Muller-Otvos mentioned. The backorders now stretch for practically a yr, that means anybody buying a Rolls-Royce as we speak will almost definitely have to attend between 10 months and a yr, relying on the mannequin and options.

As for 2023, Muller-Otvos mentioned it is tough to forecast so early, however indicators level to continued energy.

“I am not saying we’re immune from recessionary tendencies. Now we have seen years when our enterprise was affected. So let’s cross our fingers that is not occurring this yr. I am cautiously optimistic about us delivering one other sturdy yr in 2023,” he mentioned.