SWITZERLAND: Luxury cars are showcased at the 77th International Motor Show in Geneva
- 00:02:16
- ITN Source
SWITZERLAND: Luxury cars are showcased at the 77th International Motor Show in Geneva
While environmentally-friendly cars headlined the opening of the annual car show in Geneva on Tuesday (March 6), they did not manage to steal the spotlight from their luxury counterparts. The luxury car market remains strong, especially with the increase in the number of millionaires in the world ready to spend their cash on prestigious cars. "China was our fastest growing market in the world last year. We grew about 70 percent, that's a dramatic increase, and as the new economy in China develops, that's something that I think is interesting for all luxury brands. If we look at the numbers of people that are becoming, if you like, what we call ultra high net worth individuals, that is growing at about 8 or 9 percent year on year, so there is a substantial increase of wealth around the world," said Graham Biggs, corporate communications director for Rolls Royce. Rolls-Royce showcased its Drophead Coupe, which is based on the imposing Phantom limousine first unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January. They will start producing the Drophead Coupe in mid-2007. It is the first new convertible Rolls Royce will produce since 2002, also a new interpretation of the 100EX concept car presented in Geneva in 2004. The high-fronted, four-seat convertible keeps many elements of the concept version: rear-opening suicide doors, a brushed steel hood and an A-pillar -- and will fetch between 435,000 to 513,000 U.S. dollars (USD). Maybach is showing their 62S, among the few most expensive cars ranging from 567,000 and 660,000 USD. The 62S shares many exterior features with the 57S, such as a similar front overhang, or the monochromatic paint. Bentley has unveiled its Brooklands coupe at the Geneva show. Highlighted by a long bonnet and a low roofline, the car has a twin-turbocharged, 6.75 litre V8 engine. Deliveries will start in the first half of 2008 and 550 cars will be available at approximately 370,000 USD. Germany's Volkswagen Group bought Bentley in 1998 and has since rolled out the wildly successful Continental GT luxury coupe. Last year, Bentley sold a record 9,200 cars globally.
ITN Source | March 10, 2007
