Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert attended a special event to see the unveiling of a concept car at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars headquarters in Goodwood last Thursday (21 July).

The Rolls-Royce project, Vision Next 100, has considered what the future of luxury mobility could look like and developed a visionary car for the first time in their 100 year history.

Mr Herbert, a keen motor enthusiast, joined local councillors and Rolls-Royce enthusiasts to see the concept vehicle known as 103EX. Rolls-Royce regard their customers as ‘patrons of luxury’ who expect something different. The Rolls-Royce team have created a vision of the future that combines the latest technologies with stunning looks and sumptuous materials.

Giles Taylor, Director of Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, has described the 103EX as the “lighthouse which will guide the company and brand in their long term development.” Rolls-Royce have been producing cars for over 100 years that seek to further technical excellence. The ideas that have been combined into the 103EX concept car could become a reality in production cars.

The Rolls-Royce site in Goodwood is the company’s headquarters, design, manufacturing and assembly centre. When it opened in 2003 it had a workforce of 400 people. Today, with the success of the luxury marque and overseas demand at its highest, the plant now employs 1,400 people.

Rolls-Royce also invests heavily into future talent with leading apprenticeship and graduate programmes. The 2016 Apprenticeship Programme is taking on 17 candiates this year, the highest number of candidates since the programme was launched 10 years ago.

Rolls-Royce Motor Car’s Director of Global Communications, Richard Carter, welcomed the guests before introducing the company’s Chief Executive, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, who spoke about their vision in launching the concept car.

Mr Herbert then thanked the company on behalf of the guests for inviting them to the launch. He said that Rolls-Royce were a local success story of which the whole community was proud.

“The company has become one of our most important and valued local employers, providing opportunities for many young people and epitomising the West Sussex premium brand which is such an asset to our county”, Mr Herbert said.

ENDS

Notes

1. Photograph – Nick Herbert MP with Cllr Pat Arculus, Chairman of West Sussex County Council next to the Rolls-Royce 103EX visionary car. Photo courtesy of the Chichester Observer.

2. To read more about the Rolls-Royce 103EX car see www.rolls-royce103ex.com.

MP joins unveiling of Rolls-Royce car of the future