Rolls-Royce quits Coast

ULTRA-LUXURY car maker Rolls-Royce is leaving its Gold Coast showroom and moving to Brisbane.

The brand yesterday said it had come to a “cordial and mutual agreement” to cut ties with its incumbent Queensland dealer, Peter Warren Automotive Group, which trades here as Sunshine Automotive.

The marque’s departure from the Glitter Strip comes conversely in the wake of rising demand for luxury cars in the city which prompted new showrooms for Ferrari, Bentley and Maserati.

Brisbane-based LMM Holdings, part of Malaysiabased Sime Darby Group, has been appointed the new sole dealer of the marque in Queensland. Its luxury marques already include Porsche, Ferrari and BMW.

Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific regional director Paul Harris said “Brisbane’s robust economic development” had resulted in it being a “work, luxury and recreational hub for our owners”.

Sunshine Automotive chief operating officer Steve Kelly said the Gold Coast showroom would continue to trade until the end of the month.

He said the decision to excise Rolls-Royce from the wider Frizelle-Sunshine stable was made after a review of investments in the group’s 27 different franchises.

“Rolls-Royce is a small market in Queensland and we don’t have the volume of buyers,” he said. “We’re growing all the time and we review each franchise as we grow.”

Mr Kelly said the group would continue its business plan of growth and acquisitions, with new franchises likely to join in 2019.

Existing Rolls-Royce owners will now also be serviced from the new Brisbane location.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Brisbane plans to open an interim showroom in coming months.

According to VFacts, which tracks new car sales in Australia, Rolls-Royce sold just one vehicle in Australia last month.