Rolls-Royce cars are made by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG, the German automaker that has controlled the luxury car brand since 2003.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is entirely separate from Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, the publicly traded British aerospace and engine company that shares only the historical name.
BMW licensed the Rolls-Royce automotive naming rights from the aerospace company in 1998 and built a dedicated factory in England to produce the cars going forward.
This guide covers who owns Rolls-Royce cars today, its founding history, where Rolls-Royce vehicles are built, its current lineup, and how it differs from the aerospace company sharing its name.
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Who Owns Rolls-Royce Cars?
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG, meaning BMW controls one hundred percent of the automotive brand.
BMW does not own Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, the separate aerospace and defense company that makes jet engines and power systems, despite the shared brand name.
The two Rolls-Royce companies split apart in 1971 when the original company went bankrupt, and the automotive rights later passed through Vickers before BMW acquired them in 1998.
| Brand Name | Rolls-Royce Motor Cars |
| Parent Company | BMW AG |
| Headquarters | Goodwood, West Sussex, England |
| Automotive Rights Acquired | 1998, production began 2003 |
| CEO | Christopher Brownridge |
| Historical Founders | Charles Rolls and Henry Royce |
| Separate Company | Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (aerospace, unrelated ownership) |
| Ownership Type | Wholly owned BMW subsidiary |
When Was Rolls-Royce Founded and Who Started It?
Rolls-Royce was founded in England in the early 1900s through a partnership between Charles Rolls, a car dealer, and Henry Royce, an engineer.
The original company built both cars and aircraft engines for most of the twentieth century, becoming one of the most respected engineering names in Britain.
The original Rolls-Royce Limited went bankrupt in 1971 due to jet engine development costs, leading the British government to nationalize the aerospace business and separate it from the car division.
Rolls-Royce Ownership Timeline
Charles Rolls and Henry Royce join forces to build automobiles in England.
Rolls-Royce Limited goes bankrupt, separating the car business from the nationalized aerospace division.
Vickers engineering group buys Rolls-Royce Motors, the car making side of the split company.
BMW pays about 40 million pounds to license the Rolls-Royce automotive naming rights from the aerospace company.
BMW opens the new Goodwood factory and begins building Rolls-Royce cars under its ownership.
Rolls-Royce reveals the Spectre, its first fully electric production car.
Christopher Brownridge becomes CEO, succeeding long serving leader Torsten Muller-Otvos.
How Does Rolls-Royce Compare to Bentley?
Rolls-Royce and Bentley are the two most recognized British ultra luxury car brands, and both are now owned by German automakers rather than remaining independent.
Bentley ownership structure is detailed in our guide on who makes Bentley, which sits under Volkswagen Group rather than BMW.
Rolls-Royce generally targets a slightly higher price point and emphasizes chauffeur driven comfort, while Bentley leans more toward a driver focused grand touring experience.
Both brands compete for a similar, extremely small pool of ultra wealthy global buyers, making direct sales comparisons less meaningful than for mainstream car segments.
Rolls-Royce by the Numbers
Rolls-Royce sells far fewer vehicles annually than any mainstream brand, reflecting its position at the extreme high end of the market.
That sales figure, while tiny compared to mainstream automakers, represented a record high for the brand, showing sustained demand for ultra luxury vehicles.
Where Are Rolls-Royce Cars Made?
Every Rolls-Royce car is built at the dedicated Goodwood factory in West Sussex, England, a 42 acre facility BMW opened specifically for the brand. BMW own mainstream lineup is covered in our guide on who makes BMW.
The Goodwood plant emphasizes handcrafted assembly, with many interior and exterior elements finished by hand rather than fully automated production lines.
A separate logistics and technology center near Bognor Regis supports the main Goodwood facility with parts and materials handling.
What Models Does Rolls-Royce Currently Make?
The Phantom serves as the flagship sedan, representing the pinnacle of Rolls-Royce size, presence, and customization options.
The Ghost offers a somewhat smaller, more understated sedan alternative, while the Cullinan is Rolls-Royce first SUV, launched to meet growing luxury SUV demand.
The Spectre, introduced in 2022, is the brand first fully electric model, signaling a broader shift toward electrification across the lineup.
Nearly every Rolls-Royce sold includes some degree of bespoke customization through the Bespoke program, allowing buyers to specify unique paint, interior materials, and personal details.
How Is Rolls-Royce Different From the Aerospace Company?
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, listed on the London Stock Exchange, makes jet engines and power systems for aviation, defense, and energy customers worldwide.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has no ownership connection to Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, despite both companies tracing their name back to the same historical founders.
BMW pays a licensing fee to keep using the Rolls-Royce name for its automotive division, a fee structure set up when BMW acquired the rights in 1998.
Is Rolls-Royce Really Good or Worth Buying?
- Unmatched ride comfort and cabin refinement in the ultra luxury segment
- Extensive bespoke customization not available at mainstream brands
- Strong brand prestige and long term collectibility for certain models
- Record sales in recent years reflect strong demand despite high prices
- Extremely high purchase price puts it out of reach for nearly all buyers
- Maintenance and parts costs are among the highest in the industry
- Limited dealer network means service can require significant travel
- Depreciation on some models can be steep compared to limited production rivals
Rolls-Royce comfort and craftsmanship remain unmatched at this price point, and record sales figures suggest demand has stayed strong among ultra wealthy buyers.
For the vast majority of car buyers, Rolls-Royce ownership costs place it firmly outside practical consideration, reserved for a very small global customer base.
What Is Next for Rolls-Royce?
Rolls-Royce has committed to a fully electric lineup by the end of the decade, following the Spectre with additional electric models over time.
CEO Christopher Brownridge has emphasized maintaining exclusivity and limiting production volume even as demand for ultra luxury vehicles has grown globally.
The brand continues to rely on BMW engineering resources for underlying technology while keeping styling and craftsmanship entirely separate from mainstream BMW models.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Rolls-Royce
Is Rolls-Royce owned by BMW?
Yes. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG, which has controlled the automotive brand since acquiring naming rights in 1998.
Is Rolls-Royce the same company that makes jet engines?
No. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, the aerospace and engine company, is entirely separate from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, despite sharing a historical name.
Where is the Rolls-Royce Phantom made?
The Rolls-Royce Phantom is built at the Goodwood factory in West Sussex, England, the only location where Rolls-Royce cars are manufactured.
How much does a Rolls-Royce cost?
Prices generally start above 350,000 dollars for a Ghost and can exceed several million dollars for heavily customized Phantom or Cullinan models through the Bespoke program.
For current pricing and specifications, visit the official Rolls-Royce Motor Cars website.
Background on company history is available on the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Wikipedia page, and recent sales records are noted in this BMW Group press site.
The naming confusion between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Rolls-Royce Holdings plc comes up often enough that BMW and the aerospace company have both published clarifications reminding the public the two businesses share no ownership or financial connection.
That separation matters for anyone researching either company as a potential investment, since Rolls-Royce Holdings plc shares trade on the London Stock Exchange while Rolls-Royce Motor Cars generates no separate public stock of its own.
For car buyers specifically, the practical distinction is simple: purchasing a Rolls-Royce automobile means doing business with BMW, not with the company that builds jet engines under the same historic name.
Understanding this split ownership also helps explain why Rolls-Royce cars sometimes borrow BMW engine technology while the overall styling, interior craftsmanship, and brand experience remain entirely distinct from anything BMW itself sells.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.