Rolls-Royce’s China sales move into top gear

China overtook the US as the group’s biggest market as the country’s wealthier classes grow and demand for luxury goods, from clothing to motors, rises.

That helped the iconic marque, owned by BMW, sell 3,538 cars worldwide last year – 30 per cent more than in 2010 and ahead of its previous record year of 1978 when it sold 3,347.

Last year Rolls-Royce started work on expanding its manufacturing plant at Goodwood in West Sussex.

It recently created a new director of mainland China role to reflect the country’s importance to the carmaker.