In an exclusive interview with AFP, Robertson said China had become the company's third-largest market in the past year and India was likely to close the gap soon.

He said China's four successful dealerships would be complemented with three more in the new year, while India - which recently witnessed a return of the brand after a 50-year absence - would see another outlet open in 2007.

"Growth in Greater China is unique, it's very special," said Robertson, in Hong Kong for the unveiling of a 14-strong fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms that will ferry guests of the famous Peninsula Hotel around the city.

"We've seen 60 per cent growth there this year - it has overtaken Japan as our biggest Asian market," he added.

"Usually five per cent either way means the difference between a great year and a not so great year in other markets; that gives you some indication of how big China has become."

For Rolls-Royce, Greater China encompasses Hong Kong, which in the 1990s laid claim to owning the highest per-capita number of the luxury cars.

Robertson said that title was likely to be held now by Los Angeles, which accounted for a third of all cars sold in the US, still Rolls-Royce's biggest market, ahead of Britain.

While, Hong Kong remains an important sales point, the company's three other Chinese dealerships in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing are propelling the country's sales.

Guangzhou, the regional capital of China's wealthy southern industrial heartland, has seen terrific growth.

"At one point last year, sales in Guangzhou were neck and neck with those from our Beverley Hills dealership," said Robertson.

"Beverley Hills has since taken the lead again."

Such is the pace of growth among Chinese buyers that the company is to extend its dealerships to Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu.

Leading the charge is Rolls-Royce's 2003-launched Phantom, the first car to roll off its new Goodwood, southern England production line following the company's acquisition by German auto manufacturer BMW in 1998.

Nampa-AFP

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